SIOUX FALLS (SDSU PR) – Jackrabbit soccer swept the Summit League’s weekly honors this week, as Leah Manuleleua and Maggie Smither were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
Manuleleua recorded her 11th career game-winning goal last week, helping the Jackrabbits to a 1-0 victory over Western Illinois. The Manteca, California native followed with an assist in SDSU’s 3-0 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne, raising her season points total to 21. Manuleleua, who leads the nation with six game-winning goals this year, ranks second in the league with nine scores in 2019. She is a five-time Summit League weekly award winner.
Smither continued her stellar play between the posts over the weekend, pushing her shutout streak to 11 games with 12 saves over the two wins. The Sioux Falls goalkeeper broke the school’s career saves record over the weekend, and continues to sit first nationally in shutouts (12) and save percentage (.949), and third in goals against average (0.28) for the year. Smither is a seven-time Summit League Defensive Player of the Week in her career, sitting second for the most awards in league history.
The Jackrabbits have now won six weekly awards this season, as Manuleleua (Sept. 16), Rachel Preston (Sept. 23) and Smither (Sept. 16, Oct. 14) previously claimed the honors.
South Dakota State welcomes North Dakota State to Fishback Soccer Park Thursday at 6 p.m. for its final home game of the regular season.
