Match 20: South Dakota State (13-3-3) vs. No. 5 Nebraska (14-3-3) |
Date and Time |
Friday, November 10Â - 7 p.m. |
Location/Site |
Lincoln, Neb. / Barbara Hibner Soccer Stadium |
Stream |
ESPN+ |
Live Stats |
NCAA.com |
South Dakota State |
Home Page | Game Notes |
Nebraska |
Home Page |
BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State makes its seventh NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship appearance on Friday when the Jackrabbits take on Nebraska in Lincoln. The Jacks and Huskers are slated for a 7 p.m. first kick at Barbara Hibner Soccer Stadium.
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SDSU and Nebraska will meet officially for just the second time on Friday evening. The two sides squared off in the 2016 NCAA Tournament which saw the Huskers advance over the Jacks in a shootout behind a 3-0 score in penalty kicks. Nebraska outshot SDSU by a 13-5 margin in the contest, however then freshman goalkeeper and now SDSU wins record holder Maggie Smither, made six saves for the Jackrabbits.Â
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The Jackrabbits and Huskers did meet already once this season in exhibition play. SDSU took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute in their Aug. 8 meeting and held it at halftime, but Nebraska scored twice late in the second half to close out a 2-1 decision nine days before the start of the regular season.
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The Jackrabbits advanced to the national stage by claiming a Summit League Championship this past Sunday in Brookings. SDSU defeated Omaha, 1-0, in a match that was heavily affected by wind gusts. The Jacks held off the Mavericks attack while playing against the wind, keeping the margin scoreless at halftime. Switching sides and getting the wind at their backs, the Jackrabbits capitalized thanks to a 67th minute goal by
Ellie Gusman. SDSU didn't allow an Omaha shot in the second half en route to winning its 14th overall conference title.Â
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The Jackrabbits have been keyed by a variety of players of late. SDSU had four players named to The Summit League All-Tournament Team in
Kayla Anderson,
Reagan Anderson,
Katherine Jones (MVP) and
Avery Murdzek. In two matches during The Summit League tournament, the Jackrabbits had six goals scored by six different players. SDSU has earned the conference title in seven of its eight showings.
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SDSU features nine upperclassmen in its customary starting 11. Among them include Murdzek who was the Summit League Midfielder of the Year as she leads SDSU in scoring with 18 points. Her twin sister,
Laney Murdzek, was a Second Team performer with her team-leading five assists.
Kaycee Manding was also a First Team All-Summit League choice as she paces the team in minutes played with 1,585.Â
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South Dakota State enters the match versus Nebraska with a 13-3-3 overall record. SDSU is 1-5-1 all-time in the NCAA Tournament with its lone win coming in its debut at the 2008 tournament, a 1-0 victory over Colorado in Minneapolis, Minn.Â
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Nebraska, the Big Ten regular season champions, is ranked 15th in the nation. The Huskers fell in their conference tournament semifinals to Wisconsin. Nebraska is making its 13th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and first since 2016.Â
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The match between the Jackrabbits and Huskers will be streamed on ESPN+. Links to keep up with the contest are available on the Jackrabbit soccer team's schedule page at GoJacks.com.Â
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-GoJacks.com-
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