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SPRINGFIELD – A 95^th minute Illinois State goal proved the difference maker in the Missouri Valley Conference semifinal round despite a Bears' second-half offensive surge, dealing the Missouri State women's soccer team a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime setback Friday afternoon at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium.

The Bears (11-5-2, 4-2-1 MVC) found themselves down 2-0 in the opening 25 minutes as Illinois State's All-MVC pair Kate Del Fava and Natalie Vaughn-Low racked up a goal each in the 18^th and 25^th minutes, respectively.

Kennady Orlick provided the Bears with a crucial offensive spark, receiving a pass from Anna Durnin and slipping it past the Redbirds' (14-5, 6-1 MVC) keeper to put MSU on the board, 2-1.

MSU looked to even the score early in the second as Orlick drew the foul in the box at the 60^th minute for a Bears' penalty kick that was saved by the Redbirds, maintaining their one-goal advantage.

Illinois State doubled its lead yet again in the 67^th minute as Del Fava nabbed her second goal of the game off a penalty kick, swinging momentum back in the visiting club's favor.

The Bears mounted a two-goal comeback late in the second half as Icelandic duo Olina Einarsdottir and Unnur Bergsdottir found the net within eight minutes of one another to erase the Redbird advantage and tie it 3-3 at the 80th minute.

Natalie Vaughn-Low delivered the fatal blow at the 95^th minute to send the Redbirds to Sunday's MVC Championship and end the Bears' 2019 season.

Head Coach Rob Brewer's squad finished with an 11-5-2 mark, going 4-2-1 in MVC play during his 24^th season at the helm.