TORONTO, Ont. (October 28, 2015)- The Queen's Gaels women's soccer team are one victory away from returning to the OUA Final Four after recording a dramatic overtime victory, 1-0, over the Toronto Varsity Blues in the provincial capital on Wednesday evening.

GAME FLOW
Third-year striker Tara Bartram broke the scoreless deadlock with just five minutes left in the second overtime period and penalty kicks looming after a classic playoff affair that, in spite of producing the long goal, was filled with chances for both the Gaels and Blues throughout the first 114 minutes of play. The contest took a more dramatic turn in the overtime period, where the squads exchanged shots that rang off the other's crossbar.

After Rachel Radu (Ottawa) launched a shot that swung off the crossbar above the head of Blues keeper Sara Petrucci in the first overtime period, which was followed minutes later by a free-kick attempt by Christine Mulligan that bounced off the upright, much to the relief of Gaels stopper Michaila Frawley, who made two saves to earn the clean sheet for Queen's.

Following those two near scores, the game seemed destined to be decided by penalties, until Bartram turned what look to be an innocent throw-in into the game-clinching marker. The Vancouver native created some space for herself off the Gaels throw-in from about the 20-yard line, and gracefully tipped the ball over the Blues defender before using her arcing the ball with a powerful strike into the top-right corner past the diving Petrucci.

From there, the Gaels were able to run out the clock by taking the ball to the corner flag in Blues territory, clinching a meeting with the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday afternoon in the OUA quarter-finals. The winner of that match will earn a berth in the OUA Final Four, featuring the top two teams in the conference's East and West divisions. Queen's is looking to return to the Final Four after a one-year absence. Before missing last year's conference tournament, the women had reached the Final Four the previous five seasons.

BY THE NUMBERS
115:05 - Time of the Gaels goal to take a 1-0 lead
5 of 6 - Of the Gaels last OUA playoff games have seen extra time including today and four of which went to penalties

UP NEXT
The quarter-final kicks off at LU Fields between the Gaels and Voyaguers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.