Final Stats

Shannon Sullivan (Pittsburgh/North Allegheny) scored with 4:24 left in overtime to lift IUP to a 2-1 victory over Bentley in the season opener for both teams and give Gary Agard a win in his Crimson Hawk head coaching debut.

IUP was in danger of dropping its opener after falling behind 1-0 in the first half and not being able to beat Falcon goalkeeper Kaitlyn Riley until the waning moments of the game.  But the Crimson Hawks tied it up with just five minutes left when Lisa Bachman (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) tied it up off an assist by Jillian Duld (Allentown/Parkland).

It stayed tied at 1 until Sullivan put one past Riley and set off a celebration on the IUP bench.  The Crimson Hawks dominated the game statistically, outshooting Bentley 22-10 and holding a 14-1 advantage in penalty corners.  Riley made 14 saves while Laura Brust (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) stopped seven shots for IUP.

Bentley took the lead with 9:30 left in the first half on a goal by Beth Maguire, assisted by Stephanie Sideris.  

The game was the opener of a four-game series of contests this weekend at Miller Stadium.  The Crimson Hawks take on UMass Lowell tomorrow at 4 p.m. following a game between Millersville and Bentley.  The weekend wraps up Monday at noon when UMass Lowell faces Millersville.