BROOKINGS, S.D. -- The University of North Dakota soccer team fell, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon to conference leader South Dakota State from Fishback Soccer Park in Brookings, S.D. 

For the second straight game, UND (4-7-3, 0-3-1 Summit League) had to battle windy conditions throughout the entire match, with gusts reaching as high as 40 miles per hour. 

Much like the Thursday contest at South Dakota, the Fighting Hawks had the wind at their backs in the opening half and took the opportunity to pressure the SDSU (10-2-0, 3-0-0 Summit League) backline. NoDak nearly took advantage in the opening 10 minutes, with Kaylie Fowler just missing getting her foot on a cross into the box that would have given the visitors the early advantage. 

However, it was South Dakota State who jumped out to the early 1-0 lead, with Kaycee Manding pouncing on her own rebound following a great save from goalkeeper Madi Livingston on a penalty kick attempt to give the hosts the first strike. 

North Dakota kept pressuring as the half wore on, earning a couple of good looks in dangerous areas in the final few minutes of the opening stanza, but the Jacks were able to carry the 1-0 advantage into the halftime break. 

Coming out of the intermission, it was NoDak who had to work into the wind, but the green and white took a steady approach to the offense as the second half began. Working the ball down the field, Brynn Belcher made her run down the right side of the defense before laying a perfect ball into the box for Amelia Loeffler, who rifled home her fourth goal of the season to knot the game at 1-1 in the 57th minute and give the Fighting Hawks their first goal in Brookings since Sept. 2013. 

SDSU rallied back to take the lead once again just about 10 minutes later, as Laney Murdzek fired a shot into the top corner to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage in the 66th minute before Katelyn Beulke increased the score to 3-1 in the 72nd minute and seal the victory. 

North Dakota will enjoy a week off before a battle with in-state rival North Dakota State on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. from Fargo. 

Postgame Notes 

• UND falls to 3-14-1 all-time in the series against SDSU and 1-11-0 in Brookings 
• Loeffler's strike was the first goal for UND in Brookings since Sept. 2013
• The sophomore is also tied for the team lead with four goals and leads the squad with 10 points
• SDSU finished with a 20-6 shot advantage, including 12-4 on-goal
• Madi Livingston finished with nine saves on 12 attempts
• Livingston is now also 2-for-2 this season on PKs
• UND was whistled for one yellow card while South Dakota State was not booked
• Corner kicks were 7-1 in favor of SDSU

How It Happened  
First Half 
15' | SDSU - Kaycee Manding pounces on her own rebound following a missed PK to give SDSU a 1-0 lead

Second Half 
57' | UND - Amelia Loeffler finishes off a great feed from Brynn Belcher to knot the game at 1-1
66' | SDSU - Laney Murdzek fires a shot into the top corner from distance to restore the lead, 2-1
72' | SDSU - Katelyn Beulke increases the advantage with another tally on a rebound to make it 3-1

For more information on North Dakota soccer, follow on social media @UNDsoccer or visit FightingHawks.com.