BROOKINGS – Cecilia Limongi’s first career goal was a big one.

The sophomore from Elkhorn, Nebraska, put in a cross from Freshman of the Year Maya Hansen in the 70th minute as second-seeded South Dakota State beat No. 3 Oral Roberts 1-0 in a Summit League Women’s Soccer Championship semifinal on a frigid Thursday at Fishback Soccer Park.

Three-time conference Goalkeeper of the Year Maggie Smither made two saves to earn her 14th shutout of the season and 32nd of her career.

“You know, I thought our team played really well,” said SDSU coach Brock Thompson. “I thought Oral Roberts had a really good plan as far as trying to limit the number of quality chances that we got. They’re a good program – anybody you play in November is going to be really good because they’ve had a good season to get to this point.

“I’m proud of our team to persevere and stick with it. Especially in the second half, I thought there was really no panic in our game and we had a couple chances to score a goal, and really the ball that rolled across that Ceci knocked in was a great goal.”

Limongi, a forward, played 41 minutes off the bench in the victory. 

In her two-year career, she’s appeared in 28 matches (two starts), totaling 12 shots and an assist to go with Thursday’s goal in 604 minutes.

Hansen is second on the team with 17 points (seven goals-three assists) this season.

The Jackrabbits outshot the Golden Eagles 15-4, including 10-3 on goal. SDSU’s backline came through with a team save in the 89th minute on a shot by Gabrielle Abbey when Smither was out of the box.

SDSU had eight fouls and ORU five. The Golden Eagles had four corner kicks to the Jackrabbits’ two.

Offensive Player of the Year Leah Manuleleua led SDSU with five shots – three of which came on goal. The senior is the Jackrabbits’ leading scorer with 24 points (10 goals-four assists).

Allison Austin stopped nine shots for Oral Roberts (6-9-4).

South Dakota State (15-4-1) faces No. 1 Denver (12-4-3) – a 3-0 victor over fourth-seeded North Dakota earlier Thursday – in the final Sunday at noon.

“Really, to be honest with you, anytime you’re at this point in the season, it’s just to be really good at being us,” Thompson said of the key in the title match. “I felt like when we were in Denver we maybe put a little too much focus on Denver.

“We just want to be really good at being us and we’re excited for Saturday.”

The Pioneers beat the Jackrabbits 2-1 on Halloween in Denver.

Notes: SDSU beat ORU 1-0 on Oct. 10 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Manuleleua scoring in the 69th minute and Smither making six saves. … The Jackrabbits  improved to 10-6 in 11 tourney appearances. They won titles in 2008, 2014, 2015 and 2016. SDSU is 4-3 in tournament games in Brookings. It also hosted the event in 2009, 2010, 2012 (did not qualify), 2015 (champ) and 2018. ... SDSU matched a program record (2008) with its 15th win – all shutouts.

• No. 1 Denver 3, No. 4 North Dakota 0

Sami Feller scored twice and Brittany Wilson made five saves for the Pioneers.

Feller had goals in the 48th and 70th minutes. The Fighting Hawks had an own goal in the 86th minute.

Denver outshot UND 16-9, including 10-5 on goal.

The Fighting Hawks’ Madi Livingston had six saves. UND was issued a yellow card in the 72nd minute.