The South Dakota State women’s soccer team won its third straight game on Friday, topping Western Illinois, 1-0…

It took until midway through the second half, but the Jackrabbits found the game-winning goal off the foot of senior Kelsey Ferguson in the 79^th minute.

Ferguson rebounded a shot by senior Kayla Braffet and was able to sneak it past the goalkeeper, giving SDSU the 1-0 lead.

The goal was the third for Ferguson this season and ties her for the most goals on the team.

Thanks to solid defense and another great game by senior goalkeeper Kat Donovan, the one goal held up and the Jacks escaped with a victory.

Donovan, fresh off being named Summit League Defensive Player of the Week, made four saves.

Ferguson led the offensive attack for SDSU with eight shots, two shots on goal and the lone goal. Braffet took three shots, two of which were on goal, and senior Cori Bonte took four shots with one on goal.

SDSU outshot WIU 21-9 in the game, including an 8-4 shots on goal advantage. This was a far cry from the first half in which the Leathernecks outshot the Jacks 8-4.

The first half was rather quiet, as neither team was able to score.

WIU outshot SDSU 8-4, but shots on goal were even at 3-3. The Leathernecks took four corner kicks to the Jacks’ two. Fouls were even at seven apiece.

Ferguson led the offensive attack in the first half with two shots and one shot on goal. Braffet and Bonte each took one shot, both of which were on goal.

The second half was a different story entirely, as the Jackrabbits outshot WIU 17-1, including a 5-1 shots on goal advantage.

The game was rather rough, as the Leathernecks committed 17 fouls and SDSU committed 11. Three WIU players received yellow cards.

South Dakota State improves to 7-5-1 (3-0-0 conf.).

Western Illinois falls to 6-6-0 (0-3-0 conf.).

 

Next up SDSU travels further east to face IUPUI on Sunday, Oct. 9. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (time local to event location).

IUPUI hosted North Dakota State on Friday night.

Last season, SDSU beat IUPUI, 2-0, in Brookings, S.D.

SDSU faces IUPUI for the eighth time in school history and lead the all-time series 5-2-0.

Because the school is a bit further east than the Jacks typically travel, there are no common opponents this season.

Friday may be telling for Sunday's game, however, as IUPUI made an inverted trip to WIU last weekend. IUPUI lost to UMKC 2-1 (ot), before tying South Dakota 2-2 (2ot).

The common opponents between IUPUI and WIU may provide some information as the Jacks head into Sunday.

Last season, SDSU used two first-half goals to top the Jaguars 2-0 in Brookings, S.D.

SDSU scored its first goal in the 32nd minute on a goal from Ferguson (cross from Braffet). The Jacks added another goal eight minutes later and made the lead hold.

SDSU's goalkeeper made two saves in the shutout victory.

Braffet led the offensive attack with three shots, one shot on goal and one assist. Nyblom took two shots, one of which was on goal. Ferguson took one shot and made it count.

Last weekend's loss and tie made IUPUI 0-1-1 in The Summit League and 1-7-4 overall.

IUPUI is currently seventh place in The Summit League.