ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The three-time defending champion Saint Louis Billikens (10-8-1, 7-3-0 A-10) edged past the visiting sixth-seeded Rhode Island Rams (6-9-2, 5-4-1 A-10) in the Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Championship quarterfinals behind double-overtime heroics from Lyndsey Heckel, as the sophomore headed in the game-winning goal just over two-and-a-half minutes into the second extra time period Saturday afternoon at Hermann Stadium.

The Rams initially grabbed the first lead of the game in the 53rd minute of action via a Claire Ross score before SLU managed to knot up the contest less than five minutes from end of regulation, as senior Brionna Halverson punched in the equalizer at the 86th minute. The goal served as the first of the year for Halverson.

The golden goal from Heckel, good for just her fourth this season, came off a perfectly-placed corner kick from Hannah Friedrich early in the second overtime period. The sophomore elevated a few yards back from the far post and headed her shot back across the goal, ricocheting the ball off the near post and in for the score.

Rhode Island keeper Faith Hutchins finished with nine saves for the match while the Billikens held the Rams to just three total shots-on-goal.

With the victory, Saint Louis advances to the program's fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Championship semifinal match, facing off against the winner of No. 2 Dayton and No. 7 Richmond at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5. The contest will be broadcast live via ESPN+.