ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s Sophia Boman scored two goals in the second half to help lead the Golden Gophers to a 2-0 victory over South Dakota State in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship on Friday, Nov. 15, at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The win advanced Minnesota to the second round of the NCAA Tournament while SDSU’s 2024 season came to a close.
The Gophers and Jackrabbits were deadlocked after 45 minutes thanks to a strong performance in the first half by SDSU goalkeeper Emma Knack. The sophomore keeper was busy as she made five saves on 11 Minnesota shots.
SDSU had a couple chances to try to get on the scoreboard first. Freshman midfielder Mia Bosch was fouled just outside the box in the seventh minute which set up a Jackrabbit free kick. Kaycee Manding stepped up for the opportunity but her attempt was saved by Gophers keeper Sarah Martin.
The Jackrabbits had a lead-up towards the Minnesota goal in the 21st minute. A pass found its way to sophomore Katelyn Beulke who found her way through the right side of the box. Her attempt went just wide right of the goal post, keeping things scoreless.
Another save by Knack in the 44th minute on a shot by Minnesota’s Khyah Harper, the Big Ten’s leading goal scorer, kept the margin scoreless heading into halftime.
The Gophers finally broke through at the start of the second half.
Minnesota had a free kick that they struck into the box. The Gophers had an initial attempt at goal blocked, but Boman came in to boot the ball into the net to give Minnesota 1-0 edge in the 48th minute.
Seven minutes later the Gophers were awarded a penalty kick due to an SDSU foul committed inside the box. The Gophers sent Boman up for the attempt and she drilled a shot into the goal, pushing Minnesota ahead 2-0 in the 55th minute.
South Dakota State outshot Minnesota 11-7 in the second half, but was unable to cut into the deficit.
The Gophers finished with an 18-14 advantage in shots and 9-2 edge in shots on goal. Knack made five saves at keeper for SDSU, while Stephanie Leckwold played the second half and snagged two saves. Bosch had a team-high three shots for the Jackrabbits, while Avery Murdzek and Laney Murdzek each had two.
The Jackrabbits season ended with a 15-5-2 record. Minnesota moves on to play South Carolina next in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
NOTES
- SDSU’s NCAA Tournament appearance was its eighth in its program history. The Jacks are now 1-7-1 all-time in the national tournament.
- SDSU is now 1-9-1 against Minnesota including an 0-3 mark in the NCAA Tournament.
- South Dakota State’s 15 total victories on the season are tied for the second most in program history. It trails only the 2021 team’s 17 wins.
SENIOR SEND OFF
South Dakota State’s senior class won three Summit League Tournament titles and made three NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Donning Yellow and Blue for the final time Friday were Maleah Evans, Jenna Hallen, Katherine Jones, Avery LeBlanc, Hayley Lindaman, Avery LeBlanc, Kaycee Manding, Avery Murdzek and Laney Murdzek.