BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota State University’s soccer team is ready to kick off the 2026 season. The Jackrabbits return a key piece in goal while rebuilding parts of their defense and the focus heading into this year is on one thing: Getting better together.
For SDSU, a new season means a new opportunity and 10th year head coach Brock Thompson says the goal starts simple.
“The expectation is to get better every day. So to get better tomorrow when we play, and if we stack those days on top of each other, we’ll love where we’re at as a program,” Thompson said.
The Jackrabbits believe they have plenty of ways to attack this year as they return the highest scoring freshman class from last year across all division one soccer.
“We can go around teams. We can play through teams. We can get in behind teams.
We can have a number of players that can score. That makes us really unpredictable, which is a hard team to defend,” Thompson said.
While the offense brings plenty of options SDSU’s defense is in a slight re-tool.
But one familiar face, 2025 Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year, Mallorie Benhart, is back and ready to lead the way.
“We’re blessed to have Mal back. Obviously, any time you can bring back the goalkeeper of the year, it helps us a lot. Rebuilding the back line a little bit, that’s where most of our significant losses came,” Thompson said.
Benhart, a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay transfer says SDSU felt right from the start, and the trust she’s built with teammates has become a major part of her game.
“I trust the girls that are in front of me, whoever plays. Those are my girls. And no matter who’s on the field, I do support them and I do trust them with everything,” Benhart said.
This bond extends beyond the field too whether it be joking on bus rides or in hotel rooms the Jacks are a tight knit group.
But nobody understands what it means to play for the logo more than senior midfielder and lone south Dakota native on the roster, Taryn Hettich of Aberdeen.
“I absolutely love being here, being able to support the state I grew up in. And wear South Dakota State on my jersey is a blessing and an honor,” Hettich said.
After weeks of preparation the Jackrabbits are ready to put their team chemistry and pride to the test.
“I’m super excited that we actually get to start here Thursday. And just being with the girls every single day and just getting to represent Jackrabbit nation,” Benhart said.
SDSU soccer opens the 2026 season Thursday evening at 7 when they play host to the University of Manitoba.
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