The UMSL women's soccer team (9-7-2) entered the GLVC quarterfinals as the No. 8 seed.

Their reward for making the postseason tournament was to face McKendree -- the No. 1 seed -- a team that just bested the Tritons, 3-1, at Don Dallas Field exactly seven days ago.

McKendree was the defending four-time GLVC champs.

The Tritons never received such memo, as they defeated the host 5-4 in penalty kicks -- advancing to the GLVC semifinals -- where they will meet USI at Harrison Stadium on the Drury University campus Nov. 12. Time is TBD.

"I felt like our preparation all week was really solid. At the end of the day, we had a game plan we were really able to execute," head coach Maddi Moon said. "We knew it would be a very physical team and intense game and I felt like we just kept battling. We played with a lot of grit and heart today knowing the season was on the line; it was great to see our response. I thought our entire team showed up and played great soccer, [goalkeeper] Paige [Schwartz] played an amazing game and really kept us in [it]."

Back to Sunday, the Bearcats' second PK attempt sailed high -- sending all momentum to the Tritons -- who seized the opportunity.

The Tritons operated with some level of ESP, as PK prep illuminated the preparation.

" As far as PKs go, we had been practicing them them all week and I picked the five girls who I felt like could handle that moment well and stay composed in a very intense situation. Candice had been drilling them all week and she is so composed and level headed, so it was really a no-brainer for her to be in the position to win the game."

Earlier, in regulation, UMSL's Mia Milazzo took the give from Ayana Weissenfluh and found the net just 2:23 into the match.

The Bearcats' Emma Knoebel produced the equalizer three minutes into the second half, setting up both overtime periods.

Maddie Schweiss saved the Tritons, as UMSL goalkeeper Paige Schwartz blocked the shot, the ball deflected toward the left post as it appeared to trickle in, but Schweiss's foot saved the OT shot from the Bearcats.

UMSL was lights out on the restarts, a credit to the defensive attack that was in place for the duration.

Tritons PKs:

Weissenfluh, Abby Reeves (first goal of the season), Milazzo, Mia Ware, and, of course, Parziani.

The win is a statement win in Moon's second season at the helm, and the program is in good hands.

"It's a lot of fun to see the girls take pride in the program and really work for each other. They are the foundation of what our program is and what it will become," Moon said.