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FORT MYERS, Fla. – It was with some dramatics that the sixth-seeded Kennesaw State soccer team advanced to the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship final for the first time since 2009 as a double-overtime goal from freshman Khatra Mahdi propelled the Owls to a 1-0 victory over second-seeded Lipscomb on Friday night (Nov. 7) at the FGCU Soccer Complex.
 
The Owls (8-10-1) become just the second sixth seed to advance to the conference tournament finals after sixth-seeded Mercer advanced to conference championships in 2011, falling to Florida Gulf Coast in double overtime, 1-0.
 
"What a great win for the program," said head coach Rob King. "It was a hard fought contest between the two teams. The longer the game went on, the more we dominated. It was a great strike by Khatra to win the match. We are excited and looking forward to Sunday's final against Florida Gulf Coast."
 
KSU came out firing on all cylinders in the first half, pressuring the Lipscomb (10-7-2) backline throughout the first 45 minutes of play.
 
Continuing to hold possession in the second half, the Owls looked for the go-ahead goal with seniors Alma Gardarsdottir and Julia Nelson both registering shots that would go just wide of A-Sun Goalkeeper of the Year Anna Buhigas. With neither team scoring in regulation the match entered overtime.
 
A penalty kick shootout looked imminent as the clock edged towards the final minutes of the second overtime period, before Mahdi scored her second career goal in the 107th minute of the match. Mahdi, who seconds before had substituted for Gardarsdottir, received a perfect through ball from Nelson and finished into the bottom left corner of the goal for the game winner.
 
The Owls outshot the Bisons 17-8, including a combined 13-6 mark in the second half and both overtime periods, as well as a 5-3 advantage in shots on frame. Redshirt-sophomore Brittney Reed led the way with five shots, while Gardarsdottir and Nelson added four shots each in the victory.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Sturdivant picked up three saves on the night to earn her fourth shutout of the season and 11^th career shutout, tying her with Jessica Marek for second-most career shutouts in program history.
 
Buhigas collected four saves for the Bisons, who got two shots each from Anna Lail and Baylee Linnell.
 
The Owls will next face No. 1 seed and host Florida Gulf Coast in the championship final on Sunday, Nov. 9, after the Eagles posted a 3-1 victory over fifth-seeded Northern Kentucky in the second semifinal match. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at the FGCU Soccer Complex and can be seen on ESPN3.com.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State soccer news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSoccer or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium is the home of women's soccer, women's lacrosse and football, which will play its inaugural season in 2015.