BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Pod B No. 3-seed St. Thomas made a statement in its Summit League Tournament debut, knocking off Pod A No. 2 and three-time defending Summit League Tournament champion South Dakota State 3-2 in overtime on Friday night at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. With the win, the Tommies advance to the Summit League Tournament semifinals to take on regular season champion Oral Roberts.
South Dakota State outshot St. Thomas 10-2 total and 4-1 on goal while taking six corners. Sophia Alvarez made four saves to keep the game scoreless.
The Tommies broke through in the 55th minute when Kalli Knowles found the back of the net off assists from Melina Knowles and Ana Oenning to open the scoring. In the 74th minute, Abbi Gibbs scored her first career goal, heading in a Mia Bosch corner kick to even the scoring.
Alvarez would save a penalty kick in the 81st minute to keep the game tied before a Jenna Maloy goal in the 83rd minute put the Jackrabbits in front 2-1. With the Tommies' season on the line, Becca Smith netted a penalty kick in the 89th minute to send the game into overtime.
In the 107th minute, the Tommies were able to attack. Melina Knowles shook a defender near midfield and was able to find Kalli Knowles. K. Knowles raced down the field, beating her defender before finding Izzy McEwan in front of an open net for the game-winner.
The Tommies will play Pod B No. 1 seed and host Oral Roberts next Thursday in a semifinal match to be played at 6 p.m. CT in Tulsa, Okla.
Turning Point
McEwan was all alone in front of the net in the 106th minute after a great individual effort from Kalli Knowles, scoring the winner and sending the Tommies to the semifinals
Inside the box score
SDSU held a 24-9 advantage in shots and the Jackrabbits put 10 of those attempts on goal.
Alvarez was stellar in-between the pipes for the Tommies, finishing with eight saves, including a save on a penalty kick.
The Tommies scored on three of six shots on goal in the victory
News & Notes
In its Summit League Tournament debut, St. Thomas earned its first DI postseason victory.
The Tommies will meet Oral Roberts in the semifinals after facing off in the regular season finale on Nov. 1.
South Dakota State's loss means there will be a new Summit League Tournament champion for the first time since 2022.
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