SDSU FALLS IN OPENER TO KANSAS

Thursday, August 15

Brookings, S.D.

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Kansas

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Kansas

South Dakota St.

Photo by: Dave Eggen/Inertia

8/15/2024 10:38:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Kansas scored two consecutive goals before the end of the first half, then held South Dakota State off the scoreboard in the second, as the Jayhawks defeated the Jackrabbits 2-1 at Fishback Soccer Park on Thursday in front of 418 fans.

The two sides combined for six shots in a back-and-forth opening 15 minutes before the home side tallied the first goal of the 2024 season.

A foul called on Kansas set SDSU up for a free kick right outside the Jackrabbits' attacking box. Senior Laney Murdzek lined up for the opportunity. Her strike just glanced off a Jayhawk defender and sailed into the top back corner of the net to put the Jacks up 1-0 in the 20th minute.

SDSU's lead lasted three minutes. Kansas hit a cross in front of goal and a scramble led to a goal by Jillian Gregorski in the 23rd minute.

The Jayhawks again threatened and found the eventual game-winning goal in the 35th minute. A pass found its way past the Jackrabbit defense and Kansas' Shea Ryan connected on a kick with just enough power to sneak past the goal line and give the Jayhawks a 2-1 advantage.

Kansas produced one shot in the 44th minute, but a save by goalkeeper Stephanie Leckwold kept the score at 2-1.

The Jackrabbits produced multiple chances in the second half. Murdzek and Katelyn Beulke each registered shots on goal, however Kansas goalkeeper Sophie Dawn made saves to keep the Jayhawks in front.

Kansas didn't allow another shot on goal over the final 16 minutes despite attacking pressure from SDSU in the waning moments of the match. The Jayhawks closed out the season-opening victory over the Jacks, 2-1.

Notes

South Dakota State finished the match with a 13-12 edge in shots, while Kansas had a 6-5 edge in shots on goal.
Both teams recorded four saves. Leckwold made three saves for SDSU and Emma Knack, who played the second half at keeper, registered a save.
Laney Murdzek recorded a match-high four shots with two on goal. Creating two shots on the night for the Jacks were Lauren Eckerle, Avery Murdzek and Mia Bosch.
Hayley Lindaman played a team-high 89 minutes. She was followed by Katherine Jones (87) and Kaycee Manding (80).
Freshmen in Leckwold, Bosch and Hailee Christensen started in their collegeiate debuts. Also playing in their games in Yellow and Blue were Adrianne Agbayani, Xehlia Salnoa and Zoe Wittkop. Off the bench, WIttkop played the most minutes of 50.

Up Next
South Dakota State will play five consecutive matches away from Brookings. A three-game road trip begins on Monday, Aug. 19, when the Jackrabbits face Northern Colorado in Greeley.

-GoJacks.com-