It might not have been pretty, but the CCAC tournament title defense continues.

St. Ambrose defeated Judson 3-2 Saturday afternoon in an epic double-overtime thriller to move on to the CCAC semifinals. Haillee Wilson scored in the 89th minute, and Genevieve Bowyer scored in the first overtime period to rally the Bees to victory.

It looked like the title defense might be over when Judson took a 2-1 lead in the 85th minute. Rachel Willette made the initial save on Alondra Blanco, but the leading goal scorer for the Eagles was able to poke the ball into the net for the score.

With just five minutes left to play, SAU continued to fight. They got what they needed in the final minute. Mary Evans sent a hopeful ball into the box that bounced to Taylor DeSplinter. DeSplinter one-timed the ball in front of the net, and Wilson put her head on the ball and found the back of the net for the 2-2 tie. Willette turned away two Judson shots to send the game into overtime.

St. Ambrose needed just three minutes and twenty-three seconds to find the winner in the first overtime period. SAU earned a free kick on the left side after a foul by Judson. Evans sent the ball to the back post where DeSplinter headed it across the face of the goal. Bowyer was able to collect the ball and finish past the Eagles keeper to give the Bees a 3-2 lead in the 94th minute.

With the new overtime rules, the goal by Bowyer did not mean the end of the game. St. Ambrose managed two more shots in the first OT period and took a one-goal lead into the second overtime. The Bees held on for the final 10 minutes to take the 3-2 victory. SAU's defense was dominant in the overtime periods, allowing zero shots by the Eagles.

Weather played a factor in the first half for St. Ambrose. Going against the wind, the Bees struggled to get the ball out of their own end. Judson would take the lead in the 11th minute on a Kelly Leon strike from just outside the box. DeSplinter would get the first shot of the match for SAU, but her attempt in the 18th minute was saved. St. Ambrose would get one more attempt in the half, but they would head into halftime down 1-0.

SAU looked to have tied the game up in the 65th minute, but Adriane Latham's shot in front of goal was blocked, and DeSplinter's header hit off the crossbar. The Bees would continue to push and would make it 1-1 in the 73rd minute. Latham's throw-in from the left found its way to Jenna Horst who sent the ball toward the back post. Bowyer was there waiting and used a clever backheel to put the ball in the back of the net.

Willette was credited with seven saves in the double-overtime win. Willette, Evans, Latham, DeSplinter, Bowyer, and Natalie Miller played the entire match.

St. Ambrose will now face Cardinal Stritch on Wednesday, November 9th in Milwaukee at 2 p.m. in the CCAC semifinals. The Wolves defeated the Bees in the regular-season match 3-2 on October 18th.