SPRINGFIELD – Freshman Kaeli Benedict's golden goal in the 105th minute of play gave the Missouri State women's soccer team a 3-2 win on senior day in head coach Rob Brewer's final game at Allison South Stadium.

"It is really a special day for me," Brewer reflected. "The kind words and things people had for me meant a lot. Having been here for 26 years, I knew all along I was going to miss coaching soccer, but I am really going to miss being here. I am happy for our team and seniors to pull out a win. We had to risk it at the end playing for the front, and Kaeli had been getting looks all day, and it just took one look to get the game-winner."
 
Benedict's game-winner was set up by Abby Couch, who led her with a beautiful pass on the left half of the field. Benedict then dribbled past the Drake defenders and sunk a right-footed shot past Drake goalkeeper Kelsie Stone. Jubilation filled Allison South Stadium as the entire MSU squad dogpiled in celebration.  
 
"It felt great to be able to score the golden goal," Benedict said. "I wanted to get the win so bad for the seniors and coach Brewer's last game. We knew we had to grind out a win."
 
Drake opened up the scoring in the 12th minute off a set piece when Rachel Panther found the back of the net, with Libby Helversen providing an assist. 
 
Sierra Fury made a huge save off a Drake corner kick in the 29th minute when she disposed of a Drake shot that got past MSU goalkeeper Katherine Montgomery. 
 
MSU (5-7-4, 2-4-1 Missouri Valley Conference) answered back in the 32nd minute when Grace O'Keefe converted a penalty kick to make it 1-1. The goal was O'Keefe's team-leading third of the season. 
 
Less than a minute later, Missouri State took the lead when Benedict netted a goal off a set-piece as Abby Couch and Jacqueline Baetz provided the assists.
 
Benedict became the first Bear to score two goals in a match since Baetz accomplished the feat in last season's 4-1 win over SIU on April 7.
 
Helversen scored a goal off a pass from McKenna Shepard in the 62nd minute to make it 2-2.
 
Neither team could break the tie in regulation as Missouri state entered overtime for the sixth time this season. MSU put three shots on goal in the first three minutes of overtime, but Stone was able to deny the scoring threats.
 
Overall, Missouri State held the advantage in shots (19-6), shots on goal (9-6) and corner kicks (6-5).
 
Montgomery finished the day with three saves and two goals allowed in 105 minutes of action, while Stone made five saves and allowed three goals.
 
Stone entered the match ranked fifth nationally with 106 saves. The Bears' three goals were the third-most allowed by Drake and Stone all season.
 
Prior to the match Missouri State honored the six-member senior class of Baetz, Anna Durnin, Fury, Kennady Orlick, Kara Privitera and Kate Schroeder. The class has totaled 38 wins while combining for 165 starts, 26 goals and 20 assists in 15,917 minutes of game time
 
Missouri State closes out the regular season at Evansville on Oct. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.