Two halves, two overtime periods, and 14 players taking shootout attempts is what it took for the Huskies to advance to their first ever NSIC championship. The game was played at the host university Minnesota State in Mankato. Minnesota State defeated Minnesota Duluth earlier Friday afternoon to also advance to the finals of the NSIC US Bank Championship Tournament.

SCSU jumped out to an early lead at the 7:46 mark of the first half on an unassited goal by senior Chelsey Permenter, her third of the year.

Upper Iowa tied it up at 1-1 at 31:01 of the first half on a goal by Alyssa Petersburg, her fifth of the season. An assist on the play went to Emma Vanderheyden.

Neither team could produce any scoring in the second half and the match went to OT. In the first OT period neither team took a shot attempt. Permenter nearly ended the match in the second OT period but a nice save was made by Peacock goalkeeper Amanda Smith. The match then went into a shootout to decide who would advance in the tournament.

Both teams scored on their first and second attempts. Sophomore goalkeeper Kenzie Hanzlik made a stop on the UIU third attempt. Permenter drove home the next shot to put the Huskies 3-2. UIU scored on their fourth attempt and Smith made a big stop for the Peacocks on SCSU's fourth attempt. Both teams were successful on their fifth and sixth attempts. Hanzlik shut down the Peacock's seventh attempt to set up first year player Kayla Stevenson with a chance to win it for the Huskies, which she did, beating Smith on her right side.

The Huskies and Mavericks will play at 1 pm Sunday in Mankato to decide the NSIC Championship and to earn a birth in the NCAA Tournament.

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