INDIANA, Pa. – Behind a game-winning goal by sophomore midfielder Erica Boyle (Freehold, N.J./St. John Vianney), the Crimson Hawks held off a tough East Stroudsburg team Saturday, winning 2-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) women's soccer action.

Boyle's strike in the 82nd minute put IUP ahead for good in the back-and-forth matchup at South Campus Field. The midfielder's second goal of the year improves IUP to 6-4-1 overall and 6-3-1 in the PSAC. East Stroudsburg drops to 6-3 overall and 6-3 in the PSAC.

IUP got on the board early, with junior Kiersten Zerbe (Danville, Pa. /Danville) scoring her team-leading 10th goal of the season. After successfully defending an East Stroudsburg corner kick, the Crimson Hawks immediately used a counter-attack offense to their advantage, with forwards Zerbe and sophomore Lexie Palluconi (Penfield, N.Y./Fairport) working together to move the ball down the field. Palluconi then led Zerbe with a pass toward the goal, leaving Zerbe one-on-one with the goalkeeper before burying her shot in the back of the net.

Zerbe now leads the PSAC in goals.

East Stroudsburg got on the board in the 69th minute on a header and seemed to have the moment going forward, but the IUP defense, led by senior Kelly Jacobson (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora), kept the visitors off the board.

In goal, junior Jessica Printz (Fairfax, Va./WT Woodson) had all four of her saves in the second half, while sophomore Brandie Bryant (Essex, Md./Eastern Technical) had two shots on goal for IUP.

The Crimson Hawks, who honored members of the 1995 PSAC championship team at halftime, get back in action Wednesday at California. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.