Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Wolves clinched a berth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for the 12th straight season on Saturday despite playing Upper Iowa University to a 0-0 double overtime tie in a critical NSIC match-up.  UIU came into the contest facing a must-win situation in this final weekend of conference play to retain hope of breaking into the top eight.

The one-point tie for the Wolves clinches a berth in the post-season tournament.  Final tournament pairings will be determined after the completion of the final regular season games on Sunday.  NSU is tied for sixth in the conference standings heading into Sunday’s match against Winona State.

NSU moved to 7-6-6 overall and 5-3-4 in conference play, while the Peacocks are 10-8-3 on the year and 4-5-2 in league action.

Saturday’s game proved to be a back-and-forth affair, as both teams created golden opportunities for themselves in the late going of regulation and both overtime periods.  However, both NSU goalkeeper Dee Wood and UIU net minder Melissa Heitzman came up big for their respective teams, keeping the ball out of the net.

The Peacocks nearly pulled out a dramatic last-second victory, when Shaina Marnell took a cross and headed it toward the net with five seconds remaining on the clock from three yards out.  Her shot, however, went straight into the arms of Wood, who gathered up the save to preserve the tie and force the first overtime session.

NSU nearly finished out the win less than six minutes into the period.  Senior midfielder Stephanie Connolly sent a high, arcing shot toward the goal that ricocheted off the hands of Heitzman and back into the field of play.  Wolves’ sophomore Kaylee McDonald picked up the rebound and sent it back toward the goal, but Heitzman recovered in time to make the second save and prolong the period.

UIU again was able to manufacture a last-second chance with just four seconds remaining in the period, but Leslie Willson’s shot bounced off the goal post and harmlessly away from the goal.

The second overtime period proved to be relatively calm with few scoring chances, despite a Peacock corner kick midway through the period, leaving the scored knotted at zero.

NSU’s Maggie Fedor had a game-high five shots, a mark that was matched by UIU’s Valeria Ptasinski.  The Peacocks claimed an 18-14 edge in total shots, but the Wolves had a slight 7-6 advantage in shots on goal.s

The Wolves must now face the league-leading Winona State University Warriors on Sunday.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at NSU’s Jerde Field.