CHICAGO, Ill. – Junior Riley O'Brien scored an 84th-minute equalizer, but the Illinois State soccer team ultimately fell, 2-1, in the second overtime to Loyola Chicago in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinals on Wednesday at Hoyne Field.
The Redbirds (4-7-1 overall) end their season while the Ramblers (7-1-1 overall) advance to the MVC Championship against Valparaiso after eliminating ISU from the tournament for the third-straight season.
A 25th-minute set piece proved to be the 'Birds' most dangerous opportunity of the first half as redshirt senior Abby Basler found the head of junior Logan Ziegler, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar.
Illinois State and redshirt sophomore Priya Gillan staved off six Loyola corner kicks in the first half before the Ramblers took the lead in the 37th minute as a cross slipped to the far post and was tapped in by Krysten Pellikan from five yards out.
The Redbirds had another scoring chance in the 62nd minute after sophomore Michaela Kirschten sent in a long free kick. Junior Shaina Dudas had her shot from 10 yards out blocked before the ball ricocheted to freshman Ashlee Bakaitis, whose shot clanked off the crossbar. Ziegler's follow-up attempt flew wide.
In the 84th minute, Dudas put a cross into the box that wound up being deflected up into the air. O'Brien won the header eight yards out, sending the ball just over the Loyola keeper's outstretched arms and into the net to tie the match at 1-1.
The 'Birds were unable to generate a shot in overtime before the Ramblers scored the golden goal in the 103rd minute.
Gillan made four saves as the Redbirds were outshot, 23-14.
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