South Dakota State AA Girls Soccer Championship Preview

Here we go—South Dakota’s Class AA girls’ soccer finale has the makings of a heavyweight bout: No. 2 Harrisburg vs. No. 4 O’Gorman, Saturday, Oct. 18, in Rapid City. Bound lists kickoff at 7:00 p.m. MT at the PILC Soccer Complex; SDPB has a championship broadcast slated that evening as well. Seeding checks out from early-October previews: Rapid City Stevens entered as the No. 1 seed, Harrisburg No. 2, and O’Gorman No. 4. YouTube+3GoBound+3SDHSAA+3

How they got here

Harrisburg punched its ticket with a tight 1–0 semifinal over Pierre, courtesy of a first-half strike from Nyah Aware and a back line that saw out wave after wave of pressure. https://www.dakotanewsnow.com+1
O’Gorman earned its place with an authoritative 3–1 win at Rapid City Stevens; junior forward Addison Dougherty opened the scoring and added an assist as the Knights broke the Raiders’ unbeaten season. https://www.dakotanewsnow.com+1

Season snapshot

Harrisburg arrives at 15-1-1, winners of five straight, and they’ve been miserly all fall—MaxPreps’ recap pegs the Tigers at roughly 0.2 goals allowed per match. O’Gorman stands 12-1-3 with eight wins in its last nine, riding a late-season surge of 35 goals in that span. MaxPreps.com+1

Head-to-head and trendlines

These two met on Sept. 29—and O’Gorman handed Harrisburg its first loss and first goals conceded of the season in a 3–1 Knights win. It was the statement result that proved OG can crack the Tigers’ defensive shell. Still, the broader series trend favors Harrisburg, which is 8–2 against O’Gorman since 2019. https://www.dakotanewsnow.com+2MaxPreps.com+2

Championship pedigree vs. current form

Context matters: Harrisburg is the three-time reigning AA champion (2022–24), a dynasty built on backline discipline and big-game moments—last year’s 5–0 title win sealed the three-peat. Senior leader Addie Budig, the 2024-25 Gatorade South Dakota Girls Soccer Player of the Year, underscores the program’s spine. SDPB+2Sioux Falls Live+2
But O’Gorman’s recent arc—and that September win—suggests this isn’t the same matchup script. The Knights have shown they can press, punish in transition, and finish against the Tigers’ compact shape. https://www.dakotanewsnow.com

What decides it

  • First goal: Harrisburg’s defense is built to protect a lead; chasing the game against them is a slog. If OG strikes first again, the tactical calculus flips. MaxPreps.com

  • Wide channels & set pieces: OG hurt Harrisburg from service and second balls last time; Harrisburg must win first contacts and clearances. https://www.dakotanewsnow.com

  • Stars in moments: Aware’s nose for half-chances and Dougherty’s form loom large; a single finish could tilt 80 minutes of even play. https://www.dakotanewsnow.com

The bottom line

It’s the classic question: dynasty stability or surging form? Harrisburg’s title-season habits and defensive record are undeniable, but O’Gorman owns the freshest data point—and it’s a convincing one. Expect a cagey first half, one or two game-tilting moments after the break, and the margins to live on set pieces and box defending. MaxPreps.com+1

(Note: Game time is listed as 7:00 p.m. MT on Bound; SDPB’s championship coverage is scheduled Saturday evening—check local listings/stream details.)

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