The University of Illinois Springfield men's soccer team advanced to the GLVC Tournament Championship game on Friday in Indianapolis, Ind. The Prairie Stars defeated No. 12 Maryville by a 4-2 score in a penalty shootout, after the two teams tied their semifinal match by a 1-1 margin.
 
Anree Bogart, who started his first collegiate game just five days ago, made the play of the game in the shootout period. After both teams scored their first goal, Bogart made a diving save to his right to give the Prairie Stars the advantage. On Maryville's third kick, the shot hit the crossbar. UIS did not miss any of its kicks, and Conal Gallagher clinch the team's advancement with a shot that went off both posts before crossing the line. Other scorers in the tiebreaker for UIS were Browel Some, Morgan Ratcliffe, and Marvin Zott.
 
UIS's defense carried the Prairie Stars in the actual game. Maryville had a 55%-45% edge in possession, and led 12-6 in shots and 7-0 in corner kicks. Despite that, the Saints had very few scoring chances, and just attempted four shots on goal. Among the defenders, Ratcliffe and Bynoe played all 110 minutes, and Drew Keller saw 90 minutes of action.
 
The first goal of the game came in the 34^th minute when UIS took the lead. Diego Alcaraz had a perfect pass ahead to Brian Riordan. Riordan had one touch to get past the goalie, and he then slipped a shot off the right post and into the goal.
 
The Prairie Stars held that lead until the 75^th minute. Maryville had a free kick and sent it into the penalty box. A UIS defender couldn't head the ball out, and a Saints play got to the ball first and sent a shot past Bogart.
 
Maryville had the only three shots in the first overtime period, but Bogart made a save on the only one on target. Both teams had just one shot in the second overtime, with UIS's shot being on goal.
 
UIS is now 12-4-2 on the season. It will play for its first conference tournament title on Sunday afternoon against the winner of the Indianapolis/Drury game. The title match will begin at 2:30 p.m. (eastern).