By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Green Bay (0-1-0) played South Dakota State (1-0-0) even for the first 82 minutes on Friday night at Aldo Santaga Stadium, but the visiting Jackrabbits found the back of the net twice late to post a 2-0 victory in the season opener for both teams.

The Phoenix outshot its opponent 8-7 on the night, with a 6-2 edge in the first half. Green Bay had its best chance of the opening 45 minutes in the 19th minute, when junior Ahna Logan (Roseville, Minn.) fired a rocket that was saved by SDSU keeper Elisa Smatakis.

Green Bay had another great chance for the game's first goal in the 70th minute, but this time Smatakis punched away the shot attempt of senior Megan Braatz (Waukesha, Wis.) to keep the game scoreless.

South Dakota State, coming off a 12-6-1 season which saw it post an 8-0-1 record in Summit League play, dented the scoreboard with the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute when junior Darci Miller headed in a corner kick from fellow junior Megan Kingston.

Six minutes later, with the Phoenix playing aggressively while trying to equalize, the Jackrabbits got an insurance goal when Diana Potterveld scored on a 2-on-1 with Phoenix keeper Katy Pilarzyk (Madison, Wis.). Taking over for graduated keeper Maddie Drusch, the sophomore Pilarzyk made three saves, including a couple in spectacular fashion in the second half.

The Phoenix will hit the road next weekend to play in the Embassy Suites Classic hosted by Florida Gulf Coast. Green Bay will play the hosts on Friday before taking on Florida International on Sunday.

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