DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women's soccer team took on Summit League foe South Dakota State at Mediacom Stadium on Wednesday night and suffered its third loss of the season in fast paced battle, 1-0.
 
"South Dakota State is always a tight game and a non-conference matchup that makes us better," Drake head coach Lindsey Horner said. "We didn't have a great start, but we looked very dangerous in our counter attacking chances to finish the first half."
 
There were plenty of opportunities in the first 45 minutes of play as the two sides came blazing out of the gates. However, stellar play in goal from Drake's Addie Ford and SDSU's Mallorie Benhart held the match scoreless when the halftime horn sounded.
 
Both keepers were put to work in the first half as the Bulldogs tallied seven shots and the Jacks ripped off 11. With shots aplenty, Ford recorded six saves and her counterpart, Benhart secured four.
 
Coming out of the halftime break, the Bulldogs and Jacks continued their pursuit to find the back of the net to put their team out in front.
 
That opportunity ultimately came in the 70th minute for South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits scored the only goal of the match coming off a set piece corner and a mad scramble inside the box. As the ball was sent in, it caromed between several players, which pulled Ford away from the goal leaving the Drake defense vulnerable. The ball eventually settled at the foot of MaKynlie Cade who found Lauren Walter right at the front of the net and she tapped the ball in for the score.
 
With 20 minutes remaining in the match, the Bulldogs tried their best to counter and find an equalizer, but to no avail as the Jackrabbits defense held firm and the final horn sounded with the scoreboard reading in favor of SDSU, 1-0.
 
"Our ability to build from the back and have sustained possession was much better in the second half and opened the game up a bit more," Horner added. "It's unfortunate for the game to be lost on an ugly goal the way it was, but we got better from this experience.
 
"Butler on Sunday won't be any easier and it's our last chance to sharpen up and double down on who we are as a team before MVC play, so I look forward to our response."
 
South Dakota State tallied 19 total shots in the match and had 10 come on target. Comparatively, Drake totaled 11 shots and had five on net. The Jackrabbits also earned 10 corner kicks on the night compared to three for the Bulldogs.
 
Angela Gutierrez tallied four shots for the Bulldogs to lead the charge on the offensive end and tallied two attempts on goal. Meanwhile, Layla Kelbel, Lauren Kullberg, and Isabella Balsley each recorded one shot on net for Drake. Despite suffering the loss, Ford set a new season high for saves in a match with nine.
 
Drake will close out its non-conference slate this weekend as it heads to Indianapolis to challenge Butler. The battle of the Bulldogs is scheduled to kickoff at noon CT on Sunday, Sep. 14.