VALPARAISO, Ind. - Goals by Hailey Chambliss and Kaeli Benedict coupled with nine saves by Camielle Day pushed Missouri State women's soccer past Northern Iowa here in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinals Thursday afternoon, 2-1.

The No. 2-seeded Bears (11-6-2, 8-2-1 MVC) now await the winner of the second MVC Tournament semifinal between No. 1-seeded Valparaiso and No. 8-seeded Murray State for a date in Sunday's 1 p.m. championship match (ESPN+), which will also be played at Valparaiso.

This is the first time MSU will play for The Valley tournament crown since 2017 when they defeated UNI, 1-0, en route to its second NCAA Tournament berth. It also represents MSU's seventh trip to the MVC Championship game.
 
"We needed to come out quick and try and unlock a tough UNI defense early in this game," head coach Kirk Nelson said. "The game plan was executed with the early goals, and it took full team grit to maintain the win in the final moments. Time to get ready for Sunday. I'm proud of this team."

Having played just once since Oct. 16, the Bears were well rested and got off to the fast start they desired. Valley Freshman of the Year Chambliss picked up right where she left off in the seventh minute, netting her seventh goal of the season off a Benedict pass.

Benedict's name would again appear in the box score, this time in the 36th minute as the primary goal scorer. Assisted by MVC Player of the Year Grace O'Keefe and MVC All-Freshman Team member Joey Fosnow, Benedict's fourth score of the season gave the Bears a 2-0 advantage which they carried into the intermission.

UNI registered seven shots in the first half, and the game appeared to be even everywhere except the scoreboard at the midway point.

When the second half kicked off, the Panthers made it clear they weren't going away without a fight. UNI fired off 14 shots, doubling their first half tally. In the 62nd minute, a Lizzie Mewes goal got the Panthers on the board and cut the MSU lead down to 2-1.

Despite the UNI offensive efforts, the MoState defense was up to the task. Day turned back six shots in the clutch, while the Bears prevented four UNI corner kicks from turning into goals and MSU secured the one-goal semifinal victory over the Panthers.
MoState finds itself one win away from a MVC Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Tickets for the finals are $10, with student discounts available. Fans can purchase tickets exclusively at the Brown Field box office or online here.