INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP women's soccer team opened its home schedule with a 4-2 loss to visiting Ashland on Thursday afternoon at South Campus Field.
 
The Crimson Hawks received goals from sophomore Lexie Palluconi (Penfield, N.Y./Fairport) and junior Kiersten Zerbe (Danville, Pa. /Danville), with sophomore Brandie Bryant (Essex, Md./Eastern Technical) assisting on both.
 
It was Ashland (2-0) that scored first, taking advantage of a corner kick to put a header into the top corner of the net in the third minute. The Eagles went on top by two with another goal in the 12th minute before Bryant found Palluconi for her second goal of the season in the 21st minute.
 
The game would go scoreless for nearly 40 minutes until a cross by Bryant found Zerbe in front of the net, tying the game at 2-2 in the 59th minute.
 
It didn't take long for Ashland to regain control, taking the lead in the 62nd minute before adding an insurance goal in the 86th.
 
Ashland held the advantage in shots 12-8 and shots on goal 9-7. Both teams took five corners. Junior Jessica Printz (Fairfax, Va./WT Woodson) went the entire way in the net for the Crimson Hawks, saving five shots on the day.
 
The Crimson Hawks, now 1-1-1 on the year, won't wait long before retaking the field as they host Mansfield on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.