DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's soccer team lost a dramatic match to South Dakota, 2-1, on Tuesday night at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Sophomore midfielder
Libby Helverson gave Drake a 1-0 lead in the 86
th minute with a deflected goal, but the Coyotes quickly responded with the equalizer in the 87
th minute and the game-winner in the 88
th minute.
"This is a disappointing result after we carried the game for so long," said Drake head coach
Lindsey Horner. "We were unable to convert on our many chances. To have 20 shots but only five on goal kept South Dakota in the game and put way too much pressure on our back four."
The Bulldogs controlled a staggering 62 percent of the possession and generated 11 more shots than the Coyotes, but were unable to convert until Helverson's goal in the 86
th minute.
Olivia Bruce connected with
Hannah Bormann in a dangerous area, and Bormann crossed a beauty of a ball into the box. Helverson volleyed a shot that ricocheted off a South Dakota defender and past the goalkeeper's fingertips for her first score of the year. Bruce and Bormann were credited with assists on the go-ahead goal.
"Libby's goal was fantastic off a great ball from Bormann," Horner said. "We need to be that clinical in the box every time and force goalkeepers to steal the game from us."
South Dakota answered swiftly with an impressive strike from Jordan Centineo that snuck just under crossbar in the 87
th minute. Alexis Mitchell then converted on a penalty kick in the 88
th minute to seal the win for the Coyotes.
The Bulldogs uncorked a season-high 20 shot attempts and a season-best 12 corner kicks. Defensively, Drake limited South Dakota to a season-low nine shots. Both sides recorded five shots on goal.
The Bulldogs return to action with a Friday tilt at Western Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
"Going on the road to another Summit League opponent coming off this loss will be a test for us," Horner said. "I'm excited to see how our team responds and which of our players step up."
