ELMHURST, Ill. - With five seconds left in regulation and the game seemingly destined for overtime, Emily Heimerdinger sent off a celebration at Langhorst Field with her sixth goal, which clinched the Bluejays' first birth in the CCIW tournament since 2011. 
 

Shannon Pimmel lifted a cross-field pass to Heimerdinger who, from a seemingly impossible angle, took a shot that went over the head of Carthage goalkeeper Abby Alm, across the face of goal, and into the far upper 90. 

Throughout the game, both teams had many chances to get on the board, but could not find the finishing touch to put the ball in the back of the net. 

Off a Bluejays corner kick in the 34th minute, Megan Hart took a shot that deflected off of Alm and right back to her, her second attempt, with a header was also saved by Alm. Trying to clean up the rebound, Rion Gaffney took a shot that was blocked out of play.

Another Elmhurst opportunity came off a Katelyn Allen free kick. The senior took the kick quickly, before the Carthage defense could set up, and it fell right to the left foot of Megan Hart, but her volley attempt went just wide. 

In the 66th minute, Carthage had their best opportunity. Jessica Larsen took a shot that forced Melinda Vickers to make a diving safe.

The tie score set the stage for Heimerdinger's game-winner.

The Bluejays out shot the Lady Reds 21-13, but nine of the Lady Reds' shots found the frame to the Bluejays' seven.

Melinda Vickers made nine saves for the Bluejays in recording her fifth shutout of the season. Alm stopped six of Elmhurst's shots. 

The Bluejays advance to the CCIW Tournament as the No. 4 seed. They will face Wheaton College on the road next Tuesday, November 4.