BROOKINGS – South Dakota State closes its six-match homestand with a pair of games over an extended weekend of action, taking on Northern Iowa and Arizona State.
The Jackrabbits and Panthers kick off at 6 p.m. Friday.
SDSU and the Sun Devils are set to face off at 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 for a Monday Night Fútbol showdown.
As part of Monday Night Fútbol, fans who bring their ticket from Saturday’s football contest with Montana State will get into Monday’s soccer game free. As well, Monday is the annual “Cubby’s Feeds the Fans” event at Fishback Soccer Park, as SDSU sponsor Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill will grill burgers for fans before kickoff.
Monday is also Faculty Appreciation Day, where soccer student-athletes have chosen one faculty member who has made a difference in their lives to recognize prior to the game.
Finally, Jackrabbit students who attend will be entered to win a free television, given away at halftime. Students must have a valid SDSU student ID and be present to win.
Scouting the Panthers
Northern Iowa (2-1-2) is coming off a 2-1 victory over Central Michigan last Sunday, falling 2-0 to VCU the game prior. Both games were part of the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Panthers are even with their opponents in goals scored (three) this season, as Sophia Conant, Kelsey Yarrow and Jordyn Rolli have found the back of the net. Hannah McDevitt has added an assist for the Panther offense.
In goal, Jami Reichenberger has started all five games for UNI and holds a 0.54 goals against average with three shutouts.
South Dakota State leads the all-time series with Northern Iowa 7-2-3, but dropped a 1-0 contest in Cedar Falls, Iowa, last year. The Jackrabbits are 4-0-2 at home against UNI.
Scouting the Sun Devils
Arizona State carries a 2-1 record into the weekend and will visit Fishback Soccer Park after a Friday visit to Baylor.
ASU hosted the Sun Devil Desert Classic last weekend in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils lost 2-1 in the weekend opener to New Hampshire before bouncing back with a 4-0 win over Southeast Missouri State last Sunday.
ASU has outscored its opponents 8-3 in the young season, led by Nicole Douglas’ three tallies and Cori Sullivan’s (one assist) two goals. Casey Martinez (one assist), Eva Van Deursen and Alexia Delgado have also scored goals for the Sun Devils this year.
Defensively, Arizona State is holding opponents to eight shots (four on goal) per contest and has one shutout.
Sydney Day (1.50 GAA) has started two games between the pipes with seven saves, while Nikki Panas has not allowed a goal in 90 minutes of action at goalkeeper.
This is the first-ever meeting between South Dakota State and Arizona State, which is the first Pac-12 program to visit Fishback Soccer Park.
Scouting the Jackrabbits
South Dakota State split a pair of home games last weekend, topping Green Bay 2-0 Friday before falling in a 1-0 contest to Creighton on Sunday. The loss snapped an 11-match home unbeaten streak for the Jackrabbits, dating back to the 2017 home opener.
SDSU has outscored its opponents 11-6 on the year, and has two shutouts as a team. The Jackrabbits are averaging 15.2 shots per game, putting 37 of their 91 total attempts on goal.
Leah Manuleleua, named the Summit League’s Offensive Player of the Week Aug. 27, leads the Jackrabbits with seven points on the year. She and Karlee Manding each have three goals on the campaign, as Manding netted a game-winner last Friday against Green Bay.
Stephanie Dashiell has found the back of the net twice in 2018, and Carina McLennan, Hannah Evans and Abigail Kastens have scored as well.
McLennan (five points) leads all Jacks with three assists, while six others have one assist each.
Maggie Smither has started all six games at goalkeeper for SDSU and holds a 1.07 goals against average. She has allowed six goals in more than 500 minutes of action, recording two shutouts while assisting in one more.
Hailee Fischer has appeared in two contests and has not allowed a goal, tallying one save over 35 minutes of playing time.
Photo from www.gojacks.com.
