JACKS THUMP TOMMIES TO OPEN LEAGUE PLAY

Thursday, September 25

Brookings, S.D.

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

7-1-3, 1-0-0

St. Thomas

3-5-1, 0-1-0

St. Thomas

South Dakota State

Photo by: Jenna Batka

9/25/2025 10:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State scored four first-half goals – and added another two in the second half – en route to a 6-0 win on Thursday, Sept. 25, over St. Thomas at Fishback Soccer Park.

The Jackrabbits got out to a quick start. Hailee Christensen struck a shot into the net from close-range, thanks to a cross from Jenna Maloy, to put SDSU ahead 1-0 in the third minute.

It took 23 minutes for State to find the back of the net again. Lauren Eckerle took a free kick opportunity and snuck a pass around the St. Thomas wall of defenders. The ball found Mia Bosch who booted a right-footed strike past the diving keeper to make it 2-0.

The Jacks scored consecutive goals in a two-minute span. The 32nd minute saw MaKynlie Cade drive a shot into the net to extend the advantage to 3-0. SDSU made it 4-0 when Eckerle lofted a pass from the Jackrabbit back line all the way to the St. Thomas back line. Her ball found Emma Brezenski who drilled a shot past the diving Tommie keeper for another goal in the 34th minute.

The second half saw SDSU add goals to its tally in the 59th minute and 87th minute.

Ellie Gusman notched a goal that was buoyed by a St. Thomas deflection to extend the score to 5-0. The final goal of the night came when Deizha Lyn Jacinto took a corner kick and Alexa Ruppert scored her first goal of her career to make it a final 6-0 margin.

South Dakota State earned the conference-opening victory to improve to 7-1-3. St. Thomas dropped to 1-5-3. The win for the Jackrabbits improved their unbeaten streak to nine matches.

NOTES

South Dakota State finished the contest with a 27-7 edge in shots, including a 12-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Jacks also had a 10-0 difference in corner kicks.
Jackrabbit starting goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart made three saves. Stephanie Leckwold came in during the second half and also snagged a save.
SDSU had six different goal scorers in the match. Bosch had a team-high three points behind a goal and an assist. Christensen and Brezenski each scored their fourth goals of the season. Gusman scored her first goal of the year.
The Jackrabbits combined for eight assists on Thursday. Eckerle had a team-high two versus the Tommies. Also registering assists were Maloy, Zoe Wittkop, Lauren Walter, Bosch, Jacinto and Shelby Hopeau.
SDSU scored six goals for the second time in the previous three matches. The goal total is tied for the most by the Jacks against a Division I opponent since 2021. It's the fourth time the Jackrabbits have scored six goals against a DI foe in 15 years.
South Dakota State tallied 20 points (6 goals, 8 assists) against St. Thomas. That total is the most by the Jackrabbits in a Summit League match since 2010.
The Jacks have won all five meetings against the Tommies since St. Thomas joined The Summit League. The six-goal victory was the largest margin ever between the two sides.

UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits continue their homestand and Summit League play next Thursday. South Dakota State takes on North Dakota at 7 p.m. at Fishback Soccer Park. The match is SDSU's annual Cubby's Feed The Fans game, as well as Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night.

-GoJacks.com-