WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Senior goalkeeper Alyssa Lerda (Wexford, Pa./Pine-Richland) tied her career-high with nine saves as the IUP field hockey team fell 4-1 to West Chester in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) quarterfinals this afternoon at Vonnie Gros Field.

With the loss, the Crimson Hawks end the season with a 10-8 overall record. Meanwhile, the Golden Rams improve to 13-6 and advance to the PSAC semifinals.

Lerda matched her career-high of nine saves, which she set earlier this season against Shippensburg back on September 28.

West Chester jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on a goal from Caitlin Kelly at the 3:15-mark. Lerda made the first of her nine saves just over two minutes later as she stopped a shot from Marnie Kusakavitch. Lerda kept the game 1-0 after she stopped s shot from Dayle Paustian off a penalty corner at the 15:50-mark. Katie Thompson extended the Golden Ram lead to 2-0 when she scored off a feed from Rachal Toppi in the 30th minute.

In the second half, West Chester struck quickly again as Kusakavitch pushed the lead to 3-0 at the 36:24-mark. Just over one minute later Toppi gave the Golden Rams a 4-0 lead. Freshman Bryn Nelson (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot) put the Crimson Hawks on the board when she found the back of the cage in the 54th minute on an assist from Emma Smiley (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley).

Lerda made five of her nine saves in the second half while playing all 70 minutes.

For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP field hockey on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfieldhockey.