Box Score

ERIE, PA - A pair of first half goals from Brittney Kuhns (Middleburg, Pa. /Midd-West) was just enough as the IUP women's soccer team outlasted Mercyhurst 2-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action Wednesday afternoon.

Kuhns wasted little time in giving the Crimson Hawks a lead, taking a pass from Michelle Grozinsky (Waldorf, MD/North Point) and depositing the goal to give IUP a 1-0 advantage just 11:43 into the game. She would extend the Crimson Hawks lead to 2-0 less than ten minutes later when she notched her second goal of the half at the 20:53 mark.

The Lakers would trim the deficit to one late in the second half when Kelsey Volanti scored off an assist from Kierstyn Sturmer in the 81st minute, but the IUP defense would stiffen up and shut down the Merychurst attack in the game's closing minutes.

IUP goalkeeper Mara Hricik (Moon Twp./Moon) was fantastic in the net Wednesday, turning away 12 Lakers shots in 90 minutes of action. Ellie McDougal and Brooke Morrison split the net minding duties for Mercyhurst, with McDougal taking the loss.

For Kuhns, the goals were her seventh and eighth of the season to go along with four assists for a team-high 20 points.

With the win, the Crimson Hawks improve to 7-3-2, 4-3-1 in the PSAC, while Mercyhurst falls to 4-6-1, 1-6-1 in the conference. IUP returns home this Saturday to take on Gannon at South Campus Field. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.