PORTSMOUTH, Ohio ---- The Life University women's soccer team stayed alive in the Mid-South Conference Tournament today, pulling off the upset over seven-seed Shawnee State, 3-2, in dramatic fashion on the road in the Opening Round of the tournament.

NOTES
• The win propels Life U to the next round of the tournament and the Running Eagles' record to 7-8-2 (2-8-1), while Shawnee State ends its season with a record of 8-7 (5-6).
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS 
• Alexandra Collighan kept the team aloft through the majority of the game, scoring the team's first two goals off a team-high four shots, all of which were on goal.
• Mathilde Sletner came through in the clutch, scoring her lone, game-winning goal off a free kick in the final minutes of regulation. The sophomore took two shots during the game with both being on frame.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
• The teams battled back-and-forth near midfield the majority of the first half, neither team expressing too much of an advantage in pressure being put on the other team's defense. Both Emily Hounsell and her counterpart played strong in goal during the half, Hounsell stopping four on goal Bears attempts during the first 45 minutes. After the first half came to a close, the team's entered the break tied at 0-0.
• Just under 10 minutes into the second half, Life U finally got some points posted on the board, Collighan getting a ball past Shawnee State's keeper for the score assisted by Leah McDaid. What seemed to be well on its way to a low scoring, defensive game turned around quickly in the final 16 minutes of regulation, Shawnee State tying things up at 1-1 with their first goal. Collighan gave the lead back to the Running Eagles, 2-1, just four minutes later. The bears knotted things back up at 2-2 in the 85th minute off a free kick trying for overtime, but Life U quickly responded, Sletner kicking an absolute missile off a free kick that broke past the keeper's outstretched arms for the deciding goal. The Running Eagles' defense clamped down on Shawnee State over the final three minutes of the game, keeping the ball away from them to see the team pull off the 3-2 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Life U found itself in a disadvantage in shots attempted at 15-11, while trailing by a slight margin in shots on goal 6-5.
• The Running Eagles had a strong advantage in saves recorded as Hounsell put together a strong game, leading the category 5-3.
• Life U did not attempt a single corner kick during the game, while the Bears took four.
• The Running Eagles led in both fouls and cards received, leading 13-9 and 2-0, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
• The Running Eagles turn to the Mid-South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals now, playing second-seeded and eighth-ranked University of the Cumberlands Friday, April 2 at 5 PM EDT in Columbia, Ky.