Box Score BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Emelie Liljered headed in a game-winning goal in the 110th minute to send the Lindsey Wilson women's soccer team to a 1-0 double overtime victory over Georgetown (Ky.) in the Mid-South Conference Tournament semifinals at Joe Hood Field on Thursday.
With the victory, the second-seeded Blue Raiders advance to the championship match on Friday where they'll face top-seeded Cumberland (Tenn.) at 2:30 p.m. CT for the tournament crown and the automatic bid to the national tournament that comes with it.
The Blue Raiders (9-5-3) were 54.9 seconds away from going to penalty kicks when Liljered latched onto an Emma Gustafsson corner kick and headed it into the bottom right corner past the Georgetown (11-6-2) goalkeeper for the decisive victory.
Both sides had plenty of chances throughout the 110 minutes of play, but neither was able to find the winning score until the final minute.
The Blue Raiders' best chance in the first half came right at the end in the 45th minute, however Lindsey Wilson was unable to capitalize. After Georgetown committed a foul in the box, Sanna Svensson attempted a penalty kick that hit off the right post as the game went to halftime scoreless.
Each team recorded nine shots in the first half with Georgetown holding a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Gustafsson recorded three shots with a shot on goal, Svensson and Liljered each recorded two shots. Emma Lindell registered the other shot on goal for the Blue Raiders.
Amara Safuan provided the best scoring chance for Lindsey Wilson in the second half. Safuan had a free kick from 30 yards out in the 66th minute that found its way on target; however Georgetown goalkeeper Megan Martin was able to record the save. Georgetown's best chance in the second half came when Bethany Massey sent a corner into the box in the 81st minute and Jodi DeJohn's header went off the crossbar.
After 90 minutes, the Tigers held a 15-11 edge in shots and a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. Gustafsson and Liljered each had three shots on goal for the Blue Raiders while DeJohn led the way for the Tigers with four.
In the first overtime period, Gustafsson sent a corner into the box where Liljered tried to smash it in from close range at the far post, but the Georgetown goalkeeper denied her to keep the game scoreless. It was one of three corner kicks in the first overtime period.
Lindsey Wilson had another promising scoring chance in the 105th minute after receiving a free kick one yard outside of the 18-yard box, but Liljered's attempt sailed high.
Liljered finally connected cleanly in the 110th minute and redirected the cross on target to send the Blue Raiders to the championship match.
Lindsey Wilson outshot the Tigers 18-15 with a slight 8-7 edge in shots on goal. Liljered led the way with seven shots including three on target. Gustafsson recorded five shots registering two on goal. Jovana Ivanovic recorded seven saves.
The Blue Raiders advance to the MSC Tournament Finals and are looking for their 16th tournament title and their fifth consecutive. Lindsey Wilson has now reached the MSC Tournament Finals every year since joining the conference in 2000.
The championship match kicks off from Joe Hood Field at Warren Central High School on Friday at 2:30 p.m. CT.