BY SDSU ATHLETICS

The South Dakota State women’s soccer team stumbled at North Dakota, falling 3-1 Sept. 7 in Grand Forks, N.D.

The Jackrabbits trailed 2-0 at halftime and were unable to recover to salvage a result.

The first half was a mirror image of last season, as North Dakota controlled the pace offensively.

Through 26 minutes, the teams were even on the scoreboard, but UND held a significant advantage in shots (5-1) and shots on goal (4-1). The SDSU defense faltered on the sixth shot, allowing the first goal of the game in the 27th minute as Taryn MacMiller beat the SDSU back line for the opening goal.

North Dakota found another goal three minutes before halftime when Juilette Austin scored an unassisted goal, extending the UND lead to 2-0 at the break.

UND held the first-half advantage in shots (10-3), shots on goal (8-2) and corner kicks (1-0). SDSU was whistled for four fouls and five offside, while UND was whistled for seven fouls and no offside.

Elisa Stamatakis made six saves in the first half.

The Jackrabbits regrouped and opened the second half with more offensive pressure, and it paid off early.

Only six minutes into the half, Stacy Guijarro received a pass from Christa Nyblom and put it in the back of the net to narrow the deficit to one goal. The goal was the first of the season for Guijarro.

UND responded with a goal of its own two minutes later to increase its lead to 3-1 on a Megan Anderson unassisted goal.

Despite overtaking the lead in shots midway through the second half, SDSU was unable to score another goal, giving UND a 3-1 win.

“This was a very, very tough loss today,” head coach Lang Wedemeyer said. “I give UND credit for how they played, but when we miss on about eight one-on-one opportunities, we have to take a hard look in the mirror at ourselves and what we were capable of achieving today. We let another one get away from us.”

SDSU finished with the advantage in shots (18-15), shots on goal (16-10), but trailed UND in corner kicks (4-2). UND was whistled for 16 fouls, but was not offside once. SDSU was whistled for seven fouls and one offside.

Guijarro led the offensive attack with six shots, all on goal, and the lone goal. Both Diana Potterveld and Nyblom recorded three shots, all on goal, as well. Nyblom also assisted the Jackrabbit goal.

Stamatakis made seven saves total.

One player from each team received a yellow card during the game, but in separate incidents.

The Jacks fall to 1-4-1 on the season, while UND evens its record at 2-2-1.

SDSU returns home for its first Friday­, Sunday home stand this season. SDSU hosts Iowa State on Friday, Sept. 14, before playing host to Northern Iowa on Sunday, Sept. 16. Game times are set for 6 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.