DES MOINES, Iowa – Sophomore Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.) scored the game winning goal for the Drake University women's soccer team to edge South Dakota, 1-0, Friday night in its home opener at Cownie Soccer Complex.
 
Brand's game winner came at the 29:12 mark in the first half. Drake (3-0-1) had been on the offensive leading to the goal as the Bulldogs recorded several good shots on goal, but could not find the net. However, junior Hannah Wilder (Wheatfield, Ind.) blasted a shot from the top of the box that South Dakota (1-3-1) goalkeeper Parker Rytz blocked but was unable to corral as Brand raced in and finished the play for her second goal of the season.
 
Drake had an 11-2 advantage in shots in the first half, but South Dakota came back in the second half with a 10-2 advantage in shots in the second half. The Bulldogs played without senior standouts Sarah Grace Nicholson (Overland Park, Kan.) and Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill.), but had several freshmen play significant minutes.
 
Junior goalie Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa) was great in the net for the Bulldogs. Morris finished with seven saves, including several key stops in the second half when the Coyotes attempted to tie the game. Drake recorded its fourth consecutive shutout to start the season.
 
Drake returns to action Sunday against visiting Milwaukee with first kick set for 1 p.m. at Cownie.