South Dakota State led after 73 minutes, but the Kansas offensive pressure was too much, as the Jayhawks finished the comeback, 2-1…

The first half was rather eventful on both ends of the field, as the Jackrabbits and Jayhawks each took five shots. SDSU led in both shots on goal 3-1 and corner kicks 3-0. Kansas did have two shots hit the post in the first half, however.

In the 26^th minute, SDSU was the beneficiary of a Kansas own goal. The goal gave the Jacks a 1-0 lead.

Seniors Kayla Braffet and Kelsey Ferguson led the offensive attack for SDSU in the first half, each recording one shot and one shot on goal.

Senior Kat Donovan made one save in the first half.

Thanks to Donovan’s play, the play of the defense and the goalpost, the Jackrabbits led 1-0 at halftime.

The Jayhawks pressured SDSU early in the second half, earning five corner kicks in the first eight minutes. During that span, Kansas took two shots. One of the shots was a header on goal, which was saved by Donovan.

The pressure became too much in the 74^th minute, as Kansas punched in a shot from 12 yards out to the upper right corner of the goal. The goal evened the game at 1-1.

South Dakota State added some pressure of its own, as Braffet and Nyblom each forced the Kansas goalkeeper to make a save midway through the second half.

The Kansas offensive attack proved to be too much, as a counterattack added a second goal in the 82^nd minute and put the Jayhawks on top for good.

A last-ditch effort by senior Cori Bonte was saved by the Kansas goalkeeper, preserving the lead and the victory for the Jayhawks, 2-1.

Braffet finished with three shots, while Ferguson finished with two. Each recorded two shots on goal.

The Jayhawks outshot the Jackrabbits 15-10, but shots on goal were even, with both teams recording seven. Kansas held an 8-6 corner kick advantage, but was called offsides five times to the Jacks two. Each team committed seven fouls, and the Jayhawks received one yellow card.

Donovan made five saves for the Jacks in goal.

SDSU and goalkeeper Donovan fall to 2-4 on the season.

The game was a significant improvement over the lone previous meeting in 2009, in which Kansas defeated South Dakota State, 4-0.

“We enjoy playing a team like Kansas because they play good soccer,” said head coach Lang Wedemeyer. “I thought we played very well for most of the game, and created enough opportunities to win, but did not take advantage of the key moments… That was the difference today.”

Next up for the Jacks are two home games. SDSU hosts Wisconsin-Green Bay on Friday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m., before hosting North Dakota on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m.

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