CHICAGO — Senior Tony Kuplic blasted the game-winner in the 97th minute, his second goal of the day, to send No. 8 St. Thomas to a 3-2 victory over No. 25 Redlands (California) Sunday into the NCAA men’s soccer Final Four.

“I took a look up, saw that the goal was open and just ripped it,” Kuplic said.

The Tommies (20-1-3) trailed 2-0 before mounting a comeback. Kuplic powered in a shot in the 71st minute to close the gap, and Shae Bottum struck the game-tying goal on a penalty kick eight minutes later. Kuplic’s winner came on a pass from Christian Elliehausen, one of the heroes in Saturday’s OT win over Benedictine.

“We had a lot of energy going into the second half,” Kuplic said. “After that first goal it fueled us going forward.”

Redlands had knocked off the nation’s top-ranked team, the University of Chicago, in the round of 16. It will be St. Thomas’ first-ever trip to the men’s soccer final four.

The Tommies will play unranked Tufts (Mass.) on Dec. 2 in Salem, Virginia, in the national semifinal. Game time is 10 a.m. No. 16 Calvin (Mich.) will play unranked Brandeis (Mass.) in the other game. The championship game is Dec. 3.

“We’re going to go to Salem with full belief and a plan and good players,” coach Jon Lowery said. “We’re really looking forward to it.” The game was Lowery’s 100th as head coach at St. Thomas.