BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Second-seeded South Dakota State tallied three unanswered goals during a 10-minute span of the opening half to help secure a 5-2 win over third-seeded Oral Roberts in a #SummitWSOC semifinal played on its home field Sunday at the Fishback Soccer Park.
After ORU's Kennedy Langebartels put away a rebound in the fifth minute to put the visitors ahead early, the Jackrabbits responded with a trio of goals starting with Avery Leblanc's goal in the 19th minute.
Laney Murdzek then put SDSU ahead for the first time in the 22nd minute before her sister, Avery, gave the Jackrabbits a two-goal cushion with an upper-bins shot in the 29th minute. The goals by the Murdzek sisters allowed the Jackrabbits to claim a 3-1 lead at halftime.
It did not take long for the Jackrabbits to extend their lead as Kayla Anderson made it a 4-1 contest in the 48th minute and Katelyn Beulke capped the scoring in the 49th minute to push the lead to 5-1.
Oral Roberts would get a goal from Carys Torgesen in the 69th minute, but that would be the only goal the Golden Eagles would muster in the second half.
The Jackrabbits advanced to their eighth Summit League Tournament title match in program histroy and will await the winner of Sunday's second semifinal between top-seeded Denver and fourth-seeded Omaha. The match in Denver was delayed several hours due to a snow storm in the Mile High City, but was expected to start at 6 p.m. CT.
Turning Point
- After allowing an early goal, the Jackrabbits responded with three goals in a flurry during a 10-minute span starting in 19th minute that shifted the momentum firmly to the home team
Inside the box score
- ORU managed 12 shots and put eight on those on frame, but SDSU goalkeeper Jocelyn Tanner made six saves in the victory for the Jackrabbits
- SDSU reeled off 19 shots and put nine of those on goal with five finding their way to the back of the net to set a new program record for goals in a tournament match
News & Notes
- SDSU will make its eighth appearance in the #SummitWSOC Championship match and the Jackrabbits own a 6-1 mark in those contests and have won their last five (2021, 2019, 2016, 2015 and 2014)
- SDSU's five goals are tied for the second most all time scored by a team in a Summit League Tournament match - Denver also scored five in a 5-1 victory over NDSU in the 2013 title game. ORU holds the record with seven in a shutout of IUPUI in the 2000 semifinals
- The teams combined for seven goals, which equals the most in a Summit League Tournament match and marks the third time it occurred. ORU and IUPUI combined for seven in the 2000 semifinal match and NDSU and South Dakota combined for seven in a 2015 semifinal match won 4-3 by the Bison in double-overtime
- ORU was making its second consecutive appearance in the semifinals, having advanced to the 2022 title game
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