CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.  -  After falling behind by three goals with 41 minutes gone in the opening half, SIUE women's soccer scored three unanswered to secure a 3-3 draw at Southeast Missouri on Tuesday night.

"We started well, but SEMO started to get ahold of every loose ball and it cost us," said SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton following the match. "The defending in the box was just not good enough against any hungry team."

The host Southeast Missouri Redhawks started off strong, scoring in the 11th, 13th, and 41st minutes to go up 3-0. Ashlin West netted her third goal of the season just 62 seconds later to pull one back and give the Cougars momentum heading into the second half. And that momentum would result in two SIUE second-half goals - the first coming in the 64th minute, as freshman Matea Diekema notched her first collegiate goal with a shot from 20 yards out, and the game-tying goal coming in the 81st minute, as Lily Schnieders neatly recorded her third on the year. Both squads had chances to score in the overtime periods, but the fixture would end in a 3-3 draw.

"To pull one back before half was huge in giving us a chance," said Burton. "I told them at half that if we get the next one, which I felt was coming, we could really make it difficult for them."

The Cougars registered 20 total shots, nine more than their opponents, and also led the match in shots on goal (12) and corners (11). SIUE goalkeeper Taylor Spiller recorded six saves on the night and Kayla Klipsch assisted on the game-tying goal, her third assist of the season.

"In overtime, I let the team know that the fight and determination to tie it up was what winning teams have," added Burton. "It didn't matter what the result was at the end. I was proud of the team. Now, we get back to it and prepare for another tough match Friday."

The Cougars, who move to 5-0-1 on the season, will host 6-1-0 Murray State under the lights at Korte Stadium on Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.