KENOSHA, Wis. - Kristi Hofmeyer's first goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time.
With just 71 seconds left in the overtime period of Northern Kentucky University's semifinal match against Indianapolis, Hofmeyer took a pass from Brandi Doss and buried the game-winning marker to send NKU to the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship game.
The game started out slowly, with the Greyhounds (11-5-2) outshooting the Norse (15-2) by just a 3-1 margin in the first half. NKU started to pour on the pressure in the second half, forcing Indianapolis goalkeeper Abby Tracy to make three big saves in the second stanza to preserve the scoreless tie through full-time.
NKU's best chance of the day came in the 93rd minute when Jessica Page was taken down inside the 18-yard-box by an Indianapolis defender to set up a penalty kick for Amanda Mason, who sent her shot high of the goal to keep the game alive.
Hofmeyer's tally came after a corner kick opportunity. Doss sent a ball high for a header by Caitlyn Mueller, who had her shot saved. A clearance by the Indianapolis defense came back out to Hofmeyer, who found Doss for a second chance. When the defense turned that opportunity away as well, Doss found Hofmeyer again, who ripped a shot high to the corner for the game-winner.
The Norse now advance to the GLVC final for the first time since 2005, when they defeated Southern Illinois Edwardsville, 2-0, to take their sixth GLVC title. NKU will face the winner of the second semifinal between tournament host Wisconsin-Parkside and Drury. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern.
