EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women's soccer team rallied for second-half goals from freshman Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) and sophomore Chrysta Vasquez (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) on Thursday night to earn a 2-2 tie against visiting Indiana State at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville.  With the draw, Evansville moved closer to clinching a spot in the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament field.

After Indiana State struck in the first half for a goal off a corner kick by Isabella Hunter in the 17th minute, Evansville rallied in the second half behind an offensive onslaught which saw UE out-shoot the Sycamores, 10-4, after halftime.  The Purple Aces would finally earn the equalizer in the 70th minute on a strike by Johnson, who trapped down a cross from senior defender Rachel Rosborough (Mt. Brydges, Ontario) inside the penalty area and blasted a ball off the underside of the crossbar that just barely finished bouncing over the goal line for Johnson's first career goal.

UE would then take a lead in the 81st minute after a tremendous run by junior midfielder Hailey Autenrieb, who battled numerous Indiana State defenders down the left-side before making it into the six-yard box and slotting a ball to a wide-open Vasquez at the penalty spot, who buried a shot to the lower-right corner for her second goal of the season.

Indiana State would answer back with another goal off of a corner kick just minutes later to knot the game at 2-2.  The match would remain tied, despite UE out-shooting Indiana State 17-5 overall in the match, including holding a 10-3 edge in shots on goal.

With the draw, Evansville improved to nine points in the MVC standings with a 1-2-6 conference record to remain in eighth place in the Valley.  Indiana State, meanwhile, moved to seven points with a 1-4-4 conference mark.  Only the top eight teams make the MVC Tournament field, and Evansville can punch its ticket to the conference tournament with either a win or a draw against Missouri State on Sunday afternoon at McCutchan Stadium on "Senior Day" at UE.  UE can also qualify for the tournament with a loss, as long as Indiana State does not defeat Murray State on Sunday.  All five matches around the MVC will kick-off at noon on Sunday, and every match can be seen live on ESPN+.