SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Katie Wells kept hold of her place atop the Missouri Valley Conference goals scored chart with an early equalizer and then the defense stood tall over the final 55 minutes as the Sycamores and Missouri State battled to a 1-1 tie in women's college soccer on Saturday afternoon.

Indiana State is now 6-5-3, 0-2-1 on the season while Missouri State moved to 7-6-1 and 1-1-1 MVC. It was the second-ever tie between the two teams and the fourth time that the two teams had matches reach overtime. The match began 22 minutes late to a pregame weather delay which effected the ability of the teams to warmup.

This was the fourth overtime contest for the Sycamores already this season, including the second of Missouri Valley Conference play. The Sycamores have had three matches this season go to double overtime and end in a draw -- the others being the 0-0 tie at Purdue Fort Wayne as well as a 2-2 tie at Akron during non-conference play. 

Wells led the Sycamores to their first offensive chance in the extra period when she sent a cross pass to the far left post where Alina Steffen tried to tip the ball into the back of the net but the Bears defense was there for the stop. Pam Silies had a good shot in the 106th minute which sailed wide and Hannah Sullivan made a spectacular diving stop one minute later off a free kick to keep the contest tied at 1-1.

The Bears had a corner kick opportunity with one minute remaining and the ball bounced out of the box to the foot of Grace Heenan, who did score back before halftime. Heenan's shot from 23 yards out was stopped with a diving stab from Hannah Sullivan in goal.

Katie Wells was credited with the first Sycamore offense attack in the 6th minute as her shot was blocked on the way towards the goal and forced Indiana State's second early corner kick. The Sycamores' first real look at goal came in the 29th minute when Alise Emser attempted a version of the bicycle kick off a quick cross from Wells. The kick sailed high and over the cross bar to keep the contest scoreless.

In the 36th minute, the Sycamores had another great look at a score when Wells fired a cross to Lindsey Anstine who rocketed a ball towards the back of the net but was intercepted by the Missouri State goal keeper. 

Missouri State broke through first with a goal in the 42nd minute when Grace Heenan pushed a ball past Hannah Sullivan to give the Bears a 1-0 lead. 

The Sycamores came right back in the 43rd minute as Wells scored for the eight time of the season -- to lead the MVC -- and the 20th time of her career to move into a tie with Maddie Ord for No. 2 on the ISU all-time goals scored chart. Caitlyn Eddy took a corner kick and put the ball into traffic where she found the right foot over Danielle Varner. Varner shifted past the defense and changed feet quickly before sliding the ball to the side and slightly ahead to to Wells who punched the ball into the back of the net to equalize the match at 1-1. Wells eight goals are tied for the third most in a single season at ISU while her 22 points are tied for 2nd best.

The Bears would challenge for a score early in the second half when Missouri State was able to get a ball past Sullivan and heading to the goal. But Varner came from across the field at the last second and kicked the ball away for the back save. In the 50th minute, Wells had a run away look at the goal and tried to sneak it inside the left post but the ball was just deflected by fingertips of MSU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Maxwell.

Missouri State posted another great look at goal when Olina Einarsdottir had a header opportunity which was deflected by Sullivan and over the top of the cross bar to keep the match scoreless in the 71st minute.

The game remained scoreless over the final 19 minutes with no real challenge of the net by either team.

Wells led the Sycamores offensively with four shots, two of which were on goal and the score in the 43rd minute. Lindsey Anstine had the other shot on goal. Hannah Sullivan recorded four saves in the contest. 

Indiana State is next back in action as part of Homecoming weekend when they host Northern Iowa on Friday, October 12 inside Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7 pm (ET).