Jackrabbits sweep Summit League weekly honors

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (GoJacks.com) — Fresh off a week of three shutout, 1-0 victories, South Dakota State women’s soccer swept the Summit League’s weekly honors, announced Monday by the league office. Leah Manuleleua was named the Offensive Player of the Week, and Maggie Smither picked up Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“Leah and Maggie are certainly deserving of these honors after a great week for Jackrabbit soccer,” head coach Brock Thompson said. “I’m proud for how our squad handled this week’s workload and adversity. Leah and Maggie would also be the first to recognize these awards are reflective of the hard work they and their teammates have put forth.”

Manuleleua netted game-winners in all three victories, playing 178 minutes for the Jackrabbits in the attacking third. Manuleleua had nine shots (three per game) with seven on goal for the week, growing her team-leading points total to 10 (five goals). The Manteca, California native is now tied for ninth in career goals (17) and second in career game-winning goals (nine). This is her fourth-career Summit League weekly award.

Smither continued her strong play between the pipes and posted three shutouts. Playing all 270 available minutes, Smither had 20 total saves for the week, including a 10-save showing against Eastern Washington (her second-career double-digit saves performance). The Sioux Falls native closed the week with seven saves in a 1-0 Jackrabbit win against Minnesota and is now all alone in the Jackrabbit record books with 23 career shutouts. She has allowed only three goals this season, and has shutouts in all five of the Jackrabbits’ wins. Smither is a five-time Summit League weekly award honoree.

The Jackrabbits (5-3) carry a three-game winning streak into next weekend’s road trip, where State travels to Northern Iowa Friday and Northern Illinois Sunday.