KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo women's soccer team outlasted Shawnee State in a 2OT thriller Wednesday evening at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. A Brooke Gill header with less than three minutes to play gave IUK a late lead they would not surrender.

With the win, the Cougars will advance to Saturday's Championship match against Rio Grande, who beat Point Park 1-0 on the road earlier Wednesday.

The Bears of Shawnee State controlled possession and were the more physical team for much of the first half, as well as most of the game. IU Kokomo goalkeeper Sydney Miller was forced to make several tough saves early in the first half, before Shawnee State finally managed to score the first goal of the match. 

SSU took a 1-0 lead with a Frederika Ntumba goal in the 37th minute, cashing in after a few high-danger scoring chances.

IU Kokomo goal-scoring leader Keely Hoopingarner took advantage of a break that went the way of the Cougars in the final minute of the first half, beating the Shawnee goalie 1-on-1 to even the score at one and bring the fans to life inside Kokomo Municipal Stadium.

Shawnee State would narrowly out-shoot IU Kokomo 4-2 in a second half that featured no goals. With the two teams knotted 1-1 through 90 minutes, two 10-minute OT periods were next up. 

In the first of two OT periods, neither team managed to earn a scoring chance, and each side mustered just one shot-attempt. 

The second OT period opened with a SSU corner kick and shot on goal saved by Sydney Miller, but IU Kokomo gained possession and earned a corner of their own in the 107th minute.

Junior Kelsi Hoot took the corner, sending a ball into the box that found the head of a charging Brooke Gill, who headed it past the outstretched arms of the Rio Grande goalie and into the back of the net. Gill's goal was her third of the year and third in the last five matches.

IU Kokomo net-minder Sydney Miller was solid in net for the duration of the 110 minute match, making 15 saves on 16 Shawnee State shots on target.

The Cougars will welcome Rio Grande to Kokomo Municipal Stadium for a second time in as many weeks, this time for an RSC Championship and a spot in the NAIA National Tournament. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.