ABILENE, Texas - Abilene Christian's Jacey Ferrara's first tally of the season proved to be the difference Sunday afternoon 2-1 overtime win over Midwestern State in the NCAA Division II playoffs at the Wildcat Soccer Pitch.

ACU (19-1-1) advances to face Dallas Baptist in the South Central Region final next Friday on the campus of Cal State-Los Angeles.

"I'm really proud of this team and how they fought back today," MSU coach Jeff Trimble said. "It was a very, very close game."

The Wildcats held a slightest of edges in shots (20-18) and shots on frame (13-12), but the real difference came in penalty kicks results in the opening half.

Krysta Grimm converted the Wildcats' opportunity in the 8th minute after MSU's Hanna Staley was whistled for a trip near the touch line.

Midwestern had a chance for the equalizer after Abilene Christian was called for a hand ball in the box in the 35th minute, but Emily Saville's offering was gobbled up by Wildcat goalkeeper Elliott London.

It was the effort of senior goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth who kept the Mustangs in the match with four highlight reel saves before the intermission.

"Mallory played like a champion today," Trimble said.

The match proved very physical as the teams combined for a total of 36 fouls including three bookings - two cautions for MSU and one for Abilene Christian.

The Mustangs netted the equalizer in the 62nd minute when Lindsay Pritchard's cross to the far post was headed in by fellow senior forward Kelsey Hill for her 12th goal of the season.

The teams traded scoring opportunity throughout the remainder of regulation and it was the Mustangs who had the first great scoring chance in overtime. But Payton Fookes' blast on frame was saved by London.

The match appeared destined for a second overtime, but the Wildcats took advantage of an MSU foul in Abilene Christian offensive third in the final minute of the first extra stanza.

ACU's Ashley Holton chipped the ball into the box which was batted around before falling to Ferrara's feet for the game winner.

Midwestern State closes the season with a 14-6-2 mark.