DES MOINES, Iowa -- A goal in the 78th minute proved to be the difference in a 2-1 loss to South Dakota State during the Drake women's soccer home opener at Drake Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 24. 

The Jackrabbits struck first in the 14th minute when Katherine Jones delivered a pass to Maya Hansen drifting towards the six-yard box for a left-footed finish past a diving Kelti Wise. 

Zoey Mahoney registered Drake's first shot of the night in the 25th minute from outside of the 18-yard box, but SDSU's starting keeper Jocelyn Tanner corralled it. South Dakota State led a physical match at halftime, 1-0. 

"South Dakota State is a very good team that poses a lot of matchup problems for us," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "After the 30-minute mark, we started to cause them problems and impose our style of play onto the game."

Hansen ripped off another strong shot in the 49th minute, but Wise stopped it for one of her five saves (four in the second half) on the night. 

The Bulldogs answered in the 63rd minute when Lily Overstreet possessed the ball at midfield and sent it to the left side of the box to Layla Kelbel. The sophomore from Hartland, Wis., centered it with a flick to Hallie Peak for her third career goal. 

The game remained tied 1-1 until the 78th minute as Maleah Evans connected a terrific lead pass down the pitch to a sprinting Avery Murdzek, who knocked in the game-winning goal in the bottom right corner of the net.

South Dakota State outshot Drake 15-5 including a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. Five total yellow cards were committed (three on Drake - Overstreet, Mahoney, Amelia Crabtree and two on SDSU - Avery Murdzek, Taryn Hettich). 

"I'm disappointed for our players that we didn't hang on for the draw, but we certainly got better from this game tonight," Horner said. "Kelti (Wise) made a few great saves when the game was tied, but we have to continue to refine our collective pressing and be more clinical in the final third. North Dakota State will be another great game on Sunday and I'm excited to see us bounce back."

The Bulldogs will return to Drake Stadium as the North Dakota State Bison come to town for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, Aug. 27. 

NOTES
- Hallie Peak's third career goal tonight was her first since Oct. 28, 2021, against UNI.
- Drake women's soccer has had seven different players record assists so far this season.
- Kelti Wise recorded a career-high five saves.
- The Jackrabbits hold a 9-6-2 all-time series advantage.