MACOMB, Ill. - The 2024 Western Illinois Women's Soccer team played its first regular season game at John MacKenzie Alumni Field on Thursday evening, welcoming former conference foe South Dakota State to Macomb. The Jackrabbits were dominant in the match, jumping out to an early lead and holding on for a three-nil victory.

Western Illinois saw two players make milestone debuts in Thursday's match, as Ariel Bernard got the start in goal after an impressive second half vs. Northern Iowa, and outside back Hilary Halpin made her debut after missing the first two games due to injury. 

The Jackrabbits started the scoring in the 13th minute after the ball bounced around in the box between blue and white jerseys, before falling to Jackrabbit forward Katelyn Beulke who put it away for the one-nil lead. 

In the 31st minute, South Dakota State drew a penalty on a handball, and Maleah Evans put it away for a two-nothing lead. SDSU outshot Western 14-2 in the first half, a truly dominant showing. 

The Jackrabbits added a third in the 58th, as Beulke broke away and calmly put it in. Western Illinois finished the game being outshot 26-8, and the Jackrabbits also led the corner advantage 12-1. Ariel Bernard did well to rack up 12 saves in the match, but Western Illinois did not see many chances as SDSU was able to keep it in Western's third for the majority of the match.

Western Illinois will get a week-long break before taking on Green Bay at John Mackenzie next Thursday.