Women's Soccer

Jackrabbits take down Mavericks to move onto #SummitWSOC semifinals

BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Third-seeded South Dakota State scored a goal in the first seven minutes of action to post a 1-0 victory over sixth-seeded Omaha in the first quarterfinal of the 2025 Summit League Women's Soccer Championship Saturday at Fishback Soccer Park. The victory marked the third straight year that the Jackrabbits have won at least one postseason match.

The home team opened the scoring early when Zoe Wittkop sent a cross into the penalty box that freshman Jenna Maloy finished off with a header for her sixth goal of the season. Maloy’s seventh-minute tally equaled Emma Brezenski for the team lead.

SDSU applied consistent offensive pressure and controlled the pace throughout the first half, firing 12 shots with four on target, while holding Omaha to just one attempt over the opening 45 minutes.

Early in the second half, Omaha’s Payten Ivins tested the keeper with the Mavericks’ first shot on goal, but SDSU’s Mallorie Benhart turned it aside to record her first of five second-half saves. Omaha sustained its offensive pressure throughout the closing 45 minutes, but Benhart’s standout play prevented the Mavericks from finding the net.

The Jacks will play No. 2 seed Denver next Thursday in a semifinal match to be played at 1 p.m. CT on Summit League Championship host Oral Roberts’ home field in Tulsa, Okla.
 
Turning Point
  • Maloy finished off a cross from Wittkop in the seventh minute and the Jackrabbits never trailed after that.
Inside the box score
  • SDSU held an 15-8 advantage in shots and the Jackrabbits put six of those attempts on goal, forcing Omaha goalkeeper Charlotte Huggard to make five saves.  
  • The Jacks capitalized on their first shot on goal to secure the 1-0 win.
  • The Mavericks were limited but efficient on the offensive end, putting five of their eight shots on goal.
News & Notes
  • South Dakota State has recorded at least one victory in each of the past three Summit League Championship tournaments.
  • The Jackrabbits will meet Denver in the semifinals for the second straight year, after earning a 1-0 victory over the Pioneers in last season’s tournament.
  • Omaha’s loss marks the second consecutive season the Mavericks have fallen short of advancing to the semifinals.
  • SDSU goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart notched her league-leading seventh shutout of the season.
#SummitWSOC