Senior Night spoiled for Jacks; fall 2-1 to IUPUI

Friday, October 28

Brookings, S.D.

6 p.m.

South Dakota State University

10-7-1, 5-3

IUPUI

9-6-3, 3-2-2

IUPUI

South Dakota State

Photo by: Mark Smither

10/28/2016 9:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

South Dakota State saw its chances to lock up a No. 1 seed and a regular season championship at home slip through its grasps on Friday night, falling 2-1 to IUPUI despite a 21-shot advantage.

Playing in front of a friendly, often spirited crowd at Fishback Soccer Park, the Jackrabbits (10-7-1, 5-3 Summit League) put up 26 shots and scored the game's first goal, but couldn't hold on as IUPUI (9-6-3, 3-2-2 Summit League) netted two unanswered off of five shots to keep its playoff hopes alive.

"I think that we outplayed them through the whole game for the most part and had our chances," head coach Lang Wedemeyer said. "A couple mistakes on the defensive end that they capitalized on and some poor decision making in the final third was the difference in the game."

Ashley Adams and Tori Poole each had five shots, with three and two on goal, respectively, while Annie Williams (one on goal) had three looks and Nicole Hatcher, Madison Yueill and Jennie Scislow each added two. Poole scored the Jackrabbits' lone goal off an assist from Hatcher.

Nicole Inskeep earned the start and Maggie Smither (two saves) played the final 45, taking the loss as both keepers allowed a goal.

Scoreless through the opening 20 minutes, the Jacks got on the board at 22:52 as Poole retreived a pass near the far post and found the net in a congested box. It was Poole's fifth goal of the year and Hatcher's conference-leading ninth assist on the season.

That lead was short-lived, however, as IUPUI struck back less than a minute later when Maryna Clark fired a shot that deflected off the Jaguars' Catherine Raster for a score.

All even at the half, the Jacks continued to dominate play, but saw itself fall into a deficit in the 65th minute IUPUI's Hayley Shelton beat Smither in the box on a challenge and scored.

After Shelton's goal, SDSU went on a tear over the 10 minutes that saw five shot attempts and three corner kicks, but close as the Jacks came a goal was not to be found. Inside the final minute, South Dakota State had two more equalizing opportunities, but Hatcher's rocket from inside the box was blocked by a defender. On the rebound, Adams' finesse shot from the top left corner of the box saw IUPUI's Catherine Schmidt elevate in goal to tip the ball above the crossbar with 30 seconds to go and SDSU's fate was sealed.

What's Next
The Jackrabbits head for the Summit League Tournament next weekend to face a to-be-determined opponent in the semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, South Dakota State has qualified for the Summit League Tournament, with seeding announced on Sunday after all regular season games have been played.
South Dakota State's had eight athletes recognized as part of Senior Night: Ashley Adams, Nicole Inskeep, Lauren Kressock, Lindsee Larson, Shelby Raper, Alexa Trakalo, McKenzie Wolf and Madison Yueill.
Nicole Hatcher moved into a tie for the conference lead in assists (nine) and total points (21) on the night.
Tori Poole has now scored in back-to-back games, with five goals in the last six contests.
SDSU is now 10-2 in games it scores first this season.
The Jackrabbits remain two points ahead in the Summit League standings for first place with 15, but do not control their destiny in clinching the No. 1 seed. NDSU (13 points) hosts IUPUI (11 points) on Sunday and Denver (13 points), which defeated Fort Wayne 5-0 on Friday, hosts Omaha (10 points) on Sunday. Oral Roberts has 12 points and could match SDSU with a win at Western Illinois on Sunday.