FLORENCE, Ala. -- The University of North Alabama saw a 3-1 lead slip away in the final seven minutes of regulation play and eventually lost its first round Gulf South Conference match to Valdosta State, 5-4 on penalty kicks in a shootout.

With the win, Valdosta State advances to face Lee in the GSC Tournament semifinals. UNA must now wait and see if its 13-3-2 record will be enough to earn the Lions a spot in the 2017 NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.

UNA took the early lead on a goal by Kylie Huey at 9:33 of the first half off an assist from Kristen Sinden.

VSU got the equalizer at 19:37 from Suvi Savolainen, assisted by Mallory McDaniel.

North Alabama then added goals on penalty kicks from Huey at 35:08 and Shelby Wall at 41:19 to take a 3-1 lead at intermission.

UNA held its 3-1 lead until the 84th minute when VSU's Ashley Lewis scored. The Blazers then got the game-tying goal from Carley Montgomery at 87:41 to make it 3-3.

After two scoreless overtime periods, each team made just two of their initial five penalty kicks. In the third round of sudden-death kicks, VSU's Savolainen scored and UNA's final attempt went high, sending the Blazers forward in the GSC Tournament.