SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The tune-ups are complete and Summit League action is around the corner for all nine league squads. South Dakota State, North Dakota, Oral Roberts, Denver, and St. Thomas all churned out victories to close the non-conference season.
 
South Dakota State, North Dakota, and Oral Roberts paced all Summit League programs with six wins entering conference play. The Fighting Hawks and Golden Eagles are tied for second in the league standings with 19 points, trailing the Jackrabbits’ league-best 21 points.
 
Denver, St. Thomas, and Omaha open their league slate on the road Thursday, while North Dakota, South Dakota State, and North Dakota State will play on home turf.

Around The League
• Seven Summit League squads exited non-conference action carrying a .500 or better record heading into Thursday’s league openers, which feature Denver at North Dakota, St. Thomas at South Dakota State, and Omaha at North Dakota State.
• The Jackrabbits had the best record among Summit squads during the non-conference swing with a 6-1-3 ledger and 21 points after defeating Wyoming 2-0.
• SDSU enters Summit League play against the Tommies on a three-match winning streak. The Jackrabbits’ defense has limited opponents to a league-low seven goals.
• Junior goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart leads the unit with a .824 save percentage and four shutouts, which is tied for the conference lead with North Dakota’s Grace Miller and St. Thomas’ Olivia Rowe.
• KC closed out its non-conference slate with a 5-4-1 mark following a 1-1 draw at Northern Colorado.
• Midfielder Delfina Zolesio leads the Roos’ frontline with a conference-leading seven goals and one assist to gather a conference-best 15 points so far.
• Denver’s Isabella Chidiac, Oral Roberts’ Brianna Castleberry, and North Dakota’s Cora Ellermann enter Summit League play tied for the conference lead in assists with five apiece.
• The Pioneers and Fighting Hawks both had the week off to prepare for league play.
• St. Thomas took down Western Illinois 2-0 on the road to snap a three-game skid as the Tommies prepare for their league opener in Brookings.
• Tied for the league lead in shutouts (4) and ranking first in saves (52), goalkeeper Olivia Rowe was credited with the cleansheet.
• UND’s powerful offense found its stride again in the victory at Idaho State to wrap up non-conference action, sharing a league-best six wins with SDSU and ORU.
• The Fighting Hawks lead the league and are t-24th nationally with 24 goals scored. UND has also taken 56 shots this season, which is good for 4th nationally.
• The Yotes enter league action with the second fewest losses in the Summit League at 4-2-4. USD is led in scoring by Klarissa Vega, who is second in the conference with six goals.
• Omaha battled (RV) Colorado State to a 1-1 result on Friday to close its non-conference season. The Mavericks nearly became the second SL team in a row to upset the Rams (DU 2-1).
• Oral Roberts handled Northwest Missouri State 5-1 to head into league play riding back-to-back victories. Freshman forward Genesis Helsley scored twice for ORU to collect her first career brace.
• Last week, ORU’s Julia Thasaphong was named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week (9/16) following her hat trick during the 3-1 triumph over Little Rock.
• NDSU will look to erase its three-game skid as the Bison host Omaha in Fargo on Thursday. The Bison closed the non-conference season with a 4-6 ledger.

This Week In The Summit League (All Times Local To Site)
Thursday, Sept. 25 | TV/Stream | Time
Denver at North Dakota | SLN | 3 p.m.
Omaha at North Dakota State | SLN | 6 p.m.
St. Thomas at South Dakota State | SLN | 7 p.m.
 
Saturday, Sept. 27 | TV/Stream
Oral Roberts at Kansas City | SLN | 7 p.m.
 
Sunday, Sept. 28 | TV/Stream
Denver at North Dakota State | SLN | 12 p.m.
Omaha at North Dakota | SLN | 1 p.m.
St. Thomas at South Dakota | SLN | 1 p.m.
 
Thursday, Oct. 2 | TV/Stream                 
North Dakota State at South Dakota | SLN | 6 p.m.
Oral Roberts at Omaha | SLN | 7 p.m.
North Dakota at South Dakota State | SLN | 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Denver | SLN | 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 5 | TV/Stream
Omaha at St. Thomas | SLN | 1 p.m.
North Dakota State at South Dakota State | SLN | 1 p.m.
North Dakota at South Dakota | SLN | 1 p.m.
Oral Roberts at Denver | SLN | 2 p.m.

ALL TIMES ARE LOCAL TO SITE
Key: SLN (Summit League Network)
 
Results
Thursday, Sept. 18
St. Thomas 2, Western Illinois 0
Wyoming 0, South Dakota State 2
North Dakota State 0, Washington State 2
 
Friday, Sept. 19
(RV/NR) Colorado State 1, Omaha 1
 
Saturday, Sept. 20
Northwest Missouri State 1, Oral Roberts 5
 
Sunday, Sept. 21
Kansas City 2, Northern Colorado 2
Wyoming 1, South Dakota 1

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