LOS ANGELES — Julie Khil and Alana Hillman both scored second-half goals as the Tigers erased a 2-0 lead and kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-2 overtime tie against Whittier at Jack Kemp Stadium on Wednesday.

Oxy, needing at least a point to stay in the race for the four-team SCIAC Postseason Tournament that determines the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs, looked like its season was going to end after Madison Shipherd headed in a corner kick from Tess Peppis and Miranda Yzabal finished off a second Peppis cross early in the second half, putting the Poets up 2-0 with a little more than a half hour left on the clock. 

But the Occidental women's soccer team wouldn't quit.

Hillman made it a manageable 2-1 deficit when she rebounded her own shot and found the net from the penalty area in the 61st minute. Then Khil, whose minutes have been limited due to a nagging injury, scored the equalizer 1 minute after checking into the game in the 77th minute, deflecting a left-footed shot off a Whittier player's head for Oxy's second score.

Season Impact: While the Tigers would have done themselves a favor with three points, the tie keeps them alive at 18 points. Although they currently sit in sixth, the Tigers are just three points back of Pomona-Pitzer (21 points) for third, with Cal Lutheran and Whittier tied for fourth at 20 points. 

In order to make the playoffs, Oxy needs a win in its last game of the season against Redlands, and needs Cal Lutheran and Whittier to both lose.

SCIAC Standings

The Tigers dominated the first 10-minute overtime segment. Michaela Tsuha created several opportunities working up the right side, Erin Iacullo nearly put a shot into the top left corner and Hillman had a look at a second goal from around the 6-yard box that was saved.

Whittier recovered in the second overtime period, winning four corner kicks. Yzabal had the Poets best chance with a hard shot on the frame that was saved by Dallas Gunny. 

With less than 10 seconds remaining, Khil gave the Poets one final scare with a shot from the same area as her earlier goal, but it was saved. 

After a slow start to the conference season, the Tigers have been playing much better soccer since early October. The Tigers have are 4-1-2 dating back to Oct. 7.

Next Match: The Tigers finish the regular season against Redlands on Saturday at 7 p.m. Oxy will honor its two senior captains, Kelsey Hung and Tsuha, with a brief pregame ceremony. Both Hung and Tusha have been four-year starters for the Tigers.