BROOKINGS, S.D. — On a cold and windy evening, the South Dakota soccer team fell 2-0 to South Dakota State behind a pair of wind-aided goals in Brookings, South Dakota. The South Dakota Corn Showdown Series Contest kicked off at 39 degrees with 31 mph wind at Fishback Soccer Park.
 
The Coyotes used the wind to their advantage in the first half, firing off five shots but were unable to hit the back of the net. South Dakota's first shot attempt of the game came in the 19^th minute off the foot of Kellee Willer.
 
The sophomore fired her shot from the left corner of the 18-yard box, using the wind to give it more speed, but Maggie Smither was able to get her fingertips on the ball, pushing it to the cross bar. Junior Zoe Anderson came crashing in hard to take a second attempt but Smither fell on the ball moments before Anderson could score the goal.
 
South Dakota State (10-4-3, 6-0-0 Summit), winners of eight-straight games, connected on the first goal of the game in the 60^th minute. Smither took a free kick for the Jackrabbits near midfield, and with the 35 mph wind behind her, sent a shot towards the goal that found its way into the back of the net.
 
In the 62^nd minute, SDSU scored after a corner kick with a scrum in front of the net. The wind carried the ball to the net where Tori Poole tapped the ball past the goal line.
 
South Dakota (4-12-0, 2-4-0 Summit) pushed against the wind in the second half and had its chances including a shot laced by Makenzie Burmeister. The junior attempted the 16-yard shot with a low trajectory, but Smith made the diving save to her right to keep the game scoreless.
 
"We battled and we fought," head coach Mandy Green said. "I told the team that I think this is the best that we've played against South Dakota State. We held the ball well and moved well.
 
"I'm proud of how we played. They battled hard for the whole game."
 
The Coyotes tallied seven shots in the contest, with five on goal. Outside of Willer and Burmeister, Cooper Thau, Sammie Villwock and Maddison Sullivan each attempted a shot on goal. The Jackrabbits countered with 10 shots, landing nine on frame.
 
Sydney Hardin made seven saves for USD while Smith corralled five saves for SDSU.
 
The loss knocks South Dakota out of contention for the Summit League tournament. The Coyotes will play their season finale Sunday at Omaha with a 1 p.m. kickoff.