DES MOINES, Iowa -- Drake women's soccer surrendered two second half goals to South Dakota including the game-winner in the 86th minute in a 2-1 loss to close out non-conference play at Drake Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 13. 
 
"I think the early goal was perhaps the worst thing for our demeanor today," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "When we were at our best at the start, we looked great. After that, we became very pedestrian."

The Bulldogs got off to a fast start for an advantage right off the bat. Angela Gutierrez drew a foul at the left side of the 18-yard box in the ninth minute to set up a penalty kick attempt by Emma Nagel. The senior from Green Bay, Wis., hit the bottom of the left post and the ball ricocheted back to the center of the goal past the South Dakota goalkeeper Caroline Lewis for the 1-0 lead. 

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, South Dakota (3-2-3) found more chances in the second half. Mady Za charged down the far side of the field and connected with Ashby Johnston in the six-yard box on a cross. Johnston sent the ball into the bottom left corner of the net during the 58th minute for the equalizer, 1-1. The Drake (4-2-2) defense helped out keeper Addie Ford with team saves in the 54th and 62nd minutes. 

Drake had a prime opportunity to snag the lead back in the 74th minute as Hannah Olson crossed it to Nagel in front of the net, but Nagel's shot sailed high. 

The Coyotes replicated their goal earlier in the second half in the 86th minute when Za fired another cross from almost the same spot on the pitch. Shaylee Gailus headed that cross into the back of the net to push South Dakota in front, 2-1. The visitors from Vermillion, S.D., held on to claim the 2-1 decision. 
 
"I don't think a loss is going to be a bad thing for us long term," Horner said. "We haven't been sharp enough with our defending, but we have been getting results. To get undone twice today with crosses in our own six-yard box is disappointing. However, I know this will create the urgency our players need to get better as we start MVC play. We managed the minutes of our players well today. We will be ready to get this result behind us and start Missouri Valley Conference play at home with a lot of energy."

Drake will begin conference play with a home match against rival UNI on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. 
 
NOTES

• Drake's four-match unbeaten streak came to an end.
• Emma Nagel is 3-for-3 on penalty kick attempts this season. 
• Nagel has scored a team-best four goals this season and is up to 13 career goals. 
• South Dakota outshot Drake 10-7 (6-1 shots on goal)
• Ellie Rimsky checked in to play 28 minutes, for her first apperance since the season opener against Parkside on Aug. 18.
• Drake still leads the all-time series, 7-5-1.