EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville fifth-year forward Emily Ormson (Folsom, Calif./Vista del Lago) scored in the 88th minute Thursday night to help the Purple Aces earn a 2-2 tie with the visiting University of Northern Iowa Panthers at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville, Indiana.

Ormson headed home a cross from junior defender Rachel Rosborough (Mt. Brydges, Ontario, Canada) in the waning moments to help Evansville earn its second-straight tie in Missouri Valley Conference play.

"I was extremely proud of the way the team battled and played in the second half tonight," said UE head coach Chris Pfau.  "I felt like we really controlled the second half of play, and I think it was big for us to get two goals, because we were creating chance after chance, and sometimes you do that and things don't go your way and you get frustrated.  Tonight, we created chance after chance, and we were able to get two good goals out of it, which will hopefully give us a boost of confidence going down the stretch in league play."

UNI struck first in the 16th minute on a rebound goal by Lizzie Mewes inside of the six-yard box.  The Panthers would take the 1-0 lead to the halftime locker room, but that was when Evansville came alive.

Pressing a majority of the second half, Evansville controlled much of the possession of the final 45 minutes.  UE was able to equalize at 1-1 on the second goal of the year by Hailey Autenrieb (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton) in the 69th minute, as teammates Monique Landrum (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual) and Nicole Benati (London, Ontario, Canada) combined to play a ball to Autenrieb, who chipped the cross over the keeper from six yards out.

Evansville kept the pressure on, but the high press bit the Purple Aces, as on a counter-attack, UNI was awarded a penalty kick in the 77th minute, which Lauren Heinsch converted on for her fourth goal of the year.

The Purple Aces were not done yet though, as UE continued to pressure the Panthers, with Ormson finally earning the draw with the header in the 88th minute.  For the match, UE's pressure led to a 16-9 advantage in shots, including a 12-6 edge in shots on goal.  Ormson put five of her match-high six shots on goal to lead the UE attack.

With the tie, Evansville moves to 1-5-4 overall and 0-2-2 in MVC play, while UNI shifts to 4-5-2 overall and 1-2-1 in Valley play.  Evansville will wrap up a three-match homestand on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. on International Day at Arad McCutchan Stadium.  Sunday's match can be seen live on ESPN3.