(SOMERS, Wisconsin) — The No. 2-seeded Jennies knocked off previously undefeated Minnesota State, the No. 1 team in the country, 3-2 in overtime on Friday, securing a spot in the NCAA-II Elite Eight for the first time in program history.
UCM (21-0-2) scored three times against a defense that had allowed just five goals all season. Their first score came in the 18th minute when sophomore Hannah Pyle delivered a header off a corner kick from freshman Taylor Thompson. The goal was Pyle’s 10th this season, tying her career high.
In the 21st minute, junior Julie Ireland found freshman teammate Megan Woolley inside the goalie box, who finished the play scoring on a header. The goal was the third for Woolley in 2014.
The Jennies took a 2-0 lead into halftime outshooting Minnesota State, 7-4. Entering the Sweet 16 match, the Mavericks had yielded just three first-half goals to their opponents this season.
Minnesota State came back in the second half to tie the game at 2-2 following goals by Korey Kronforst in the 51st minute and a penalty kick from Dana Savino in minute No. 71.
Central Missouri needed all of 1:15 of overtime to punch its ticket to the Elite Eight after freshman Emily Franchett delivered a cross from the left corner of the field to fellow freshman Mikala Modiri who knocked the ball into the right corner of the net.
Freshman goalkeeper Ana Dilkes earned the win to improve to 21-0-2 this season. The Wichita, Kansas, native saved three shots in 91:15 minutes of action.
The win marked the first time in the history of the UCM program that the Jennies defeated the No. 1 team in the country.
The Jennies will face No. 11 Grand Valley State for a shot at the Final Four this Sunday for a noon first kick. GVSU beat host school and third-ranked Wisconsin-Parkside 1-0 in overtime in the Midwest Region Final.