HAWKEYES EARLY GOAL DOWNS JACKRABBITS

Friday, November 14

Iowa City, Iowa

5 p.m.

South Dakota State University

13-3-6, 4-1-3

Iowa

12-4-4, 6-2-3

South Dakota St.

Iowa

Mia Bosch

Photo by: Stephen McDaniel

11/14/2025 9:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

IOWA CITY, IOWA — The fifth-seeded Hawkeyes scored a third-minute goal and did enough to keep the Jackrabbits off the scoreboard as Iowa defeated South Dakota State, 1-0, in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship on Friday. The match at the Iowa Soccer Complex was played in front of 2,482 spectators.

Iowa took advantage of a free kick early in the matchup.

The Hawkeyes got their possession started from the middle of the field and eventually Iowa's Lexi Griffin booted a ball into the box. Her pass found teammate Kenzie Roling unmarked and she hit a crossing shot into the net to give the Hawkeyes a 1-0 advantage.

SDSU's Jenna Maloy had a shot hit the right side of the woodwork in the 17th minute to try to equalize. The 28th minute saw the Jackrabbits get a corner kick opportunity. Ellie Gusman nearly scored on a header, however Iowa goalkeeper Fernanda Mayrink made the save.

The two sides went into halftime with the score still standing at 1-0.

South Dakota State had its best chance to equalize in the 50th minute.

SDSU's Mia Bosch pressured Iowa's Mayrink in the box. The Hawkeyes' keeper misplayed the ball, allowing Bosch another opportunity to try to gain possession. Bosch was tripped up in the box, as Mayrink was given a yellow card and the Jackrabbits a chance at a penalty kick.

The Jackrabbits' Renny Buchanan came up to take the attempt, but her shot was saved by Mayrink. A minute later, Taryn Hettich had a header saved as Iowa held the Jacks off the board with 39 minutes remaining in the match.

Bosch recorded a shot that went over the crossbar in the 55th minute. The Hawkeyes defense stiffened and didn't allow the Jacks to produce another shot the rest of the contest.

SDSU remained in contention through the match with stout play by its back line. The Jackrabbits also received a superb effort from goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart. The junior keeper made nine saves which included seven coming in the second half. Her save total was the most in her time as a Jackrabbit, as well as the most by an SDSU keeper since Maggie Smither made 10 saves in a match in 2019.

Iowa finished the night with an 18-7 edge in shots, including a 10-3 margin in shots on goal. Taylor Thomas and Hailee Christensen played the full 90 minutes for South Dakota State. MaKynlie Cade played a reserve-high 42 minutes for SDSU.

The Hawkeyes move on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament as they improved to 12-4-4. The Jackrabbits' 2025 season came to a close as they finished with a 13-3-6 record.

NOTES

South Dakota State's appearance in the 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship was the program's ninth. SDSU is now 1-8-1 in NCAA showings.
The Jackrabbits completed their season with a .727 win percentage. The mark is tied for the fourth best in program history. The 13 victories marked the fifth straight season SDSU recorded at least that total.
All three of SDSU's losses came by just one goal and by 1-0 scores. The Jackrabbits also lost at Kansas on Aug. 17 and at Denver on Oct. 9.
SDSU and Iowa squared off for the first time in 16 years. The Jackrabbits fell to 1-3 all-time against the Hawkeyes.
Iowa entered the national tournament ranked 21st in the most recent United Soccer Coaches top 25 rankings. The one-goal defeat was SDSU's closest NCAA Tournament result since its 2019 appearance which ended in a 1-0 loss to Oklahoma State.
The match served as the finale for the college careers of four Jackrabbits in Buchanan, Lauren Eckerle, Shelby Hopeau and Lauren Walter.

-GoJacks.com-