TULSA, Okla. -- Third-seeded South Dakota State earned a chance to defend its tournament title as the reigning champs knocked out No. 2 seed Denver with a 1-0 victory Thursday in the opening semifinal of the 2025 Summit League Women's Soccer Championship at Case Soccer Complex. Celebrating her birthday, Jackrabbit graduate student Lauren Walter scored the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute as SDSU held off a late Denver push to secure its seventh straight win in the postseason event.
Denver opened the match on the attack, earning an early free kick 18 minutes into the match and testing South Dakota State goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart with a low shot from Lily O’Grady that she turned away.
SDSU created its first offensive look three minutes later when freshman Emma Brezenski fired a shot toward the center of the goal, but Denver goalkeeper Alina Santos was there to scoop it up for her first save of the match.
The Pioneers had more offensive opportunities throughout the opening 45 minutes but their best chances were nullified by three offside calls. The match opened with a physical tone as Denver committed six fouls in the first 45 minutes while South Dakota State tallied four of its own.
Denver opened the second half much like the first, firing six shots in the first 15 minutes with two on target from O’Grady and Samantha Dreiling but both were corralled by Benhart. The Pios and Jacks kept up the physical pressure as both teams continued to trade fouls throughout in a match that saw the two teams combine for 22.
Walter's game-winner came after she stole a clearance from the DU back line and delivered a rocket from the top of the box into the back of the net for the game’s only goal and her fifth tally of the season.
South Dakota State’s backline held firm for the final 18 minutes, repelling multiple Denver attacks to secure the shutout. The Jacks allowed just two shots down the stretch after taking the lead.
The Jackrabbits advanced to Sunday's title game and will face the winner of top-seeded Oral Roberts and fifth-seeded Kansas City at 1 p.m. CT.
Turning Point
- Walter stole an attempted clearance by the DU defense just outside the box in the 72nd minute and fired a shot past the DU goalkeeper, while the Jacks' backline held off Denver down the stretch.
Inside the box score
- DU was called offsides on eight different occasions, including five times in the second half.
- In the physical matchup, South Dakota State logged 13 fouls including nine in the second half, while Denver logged nine total and three in the second half.
- The Pioneers held a 12-9 edge in shots, while each squad put three on frame.
News & Notes
- South Dakota State graduate Lauren Walter celebrated her birthday and scored the game-winning goal of the match to send the Jackrabbits to the title match.
- This will be SDSU's 10th trip to the tournament title game where the Jackrabbits are 5-1-3 all-time.
- This marks the second consecutive year Denver has fallen to South Dakota State in the Summit League Championship semifinal, coming up short last season as well in a 2-1 loss.
- With the loss, Denver moves to 10-3-6 all-time in the Summit League Championship and 4-2-1 as the No. 2 seed.
- The Jackrabbits are now 16-6-6 all-time in Summit League Tournament play and will go for the program's ninth title on Sunday and third consecutive. SDSU is undefeated in the postseason tournament as the No. 3 seed with a 7-0-3 record.
- Walter scored her fifth goal of the season and third in her last four matches.
- SDSU keeper Benhart earned her league-leading ninth shutout of the season.
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