MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – History was made Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium, as the South Dakota State women’s soccer team took down the Minnesota Golden Gophers on their home turf, 1-0. 

It was South Dakota State’s first-ever win over its neighbors to the East, and the Jackrabbits’ first power-five victory since 2014.

Maggie Smither was an overwhelming presence between the pipes, tallying seven saves while facing 16 total Gopher attacks. A hot afternoon saw 19 Jackrabbits spend time on the pitch, as South Dakota State buckled down defensively and kept Minnesota off the board.

Leah Manuleleua put all three of her shots on goal, finding the net for the third time this week with her fifth game-winning goal of the season. Maya Hansen had two shots (one on goal) and two others (Darien Poelstra and Karlee Manding) had shots.

South Dakota State used a strong defensive effort in the first half to head for the locker room tied, 0-0. Minnesota racked up eight shots in the opening frame and put five on goal, but Smither and Jackrabbit back line held firm and turned back any attack. Though State had only one shot on goal in the first half, numerous Gopher chances were turned into counters and deep runs for the Jackrabbits.

Minnesota pressured hard and fast out of the break, but it was South Dakota State that broke through first when Manuleleua found the net in the 64th minute. 

Poelstra set the score up by taking possession in the defensive third, playing a long ball for Manuleleua. The Manteca, California native then outran her mark, shook a defender and sent a right-footed ball past the keeper and into the net.

Minnesota looked to draw even immediately after with a trio of shots in the next five minutes, but Smither again stood tall in net and kept the Gophers at bay.

The teams traded chances over the final 20 minutes of action, but South Dakota State would not give way en route to its third-straight victory.