ERIE, Pa. – The Crimson Hawks scored two goals in the second half trying to rally from a 3-1 deficit, but it wasn't enough as IUP dropped a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) field hockey match at Mercyhurst on Wednesday afternoon.
Matti Reightler (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) scored a goal and assisted on the second during the comeback attempt that fell short. The Crimson Hawks fell to 6-5 overall with the loss and 2-3 in the PSAC. Mercyhurst won its second straight contest, improving to 2-10 and 2-4.
Reightler doubled her season point total on Wednesday, starting IUP's second half scoring with an unassisted goal in the 46th minute to cut Mercyhurst's lead to 3-2.
After the Lakers went back on top by two seven minutes later, Reightler found
Amber Bailey (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra), popping the ball over Mercyhurst goalie Sam Takac for the score. It was Bailey's third goal of the year.
That goal came with over eight minutes to play, with the Crimson Hawks comeback hopes still intact.
Madelyn Mullen (Chester Springs, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) attempted to tie things up just a few minutes later, but her shot went wide. IUP had three more good scoring chances down the stretch, with penalty corners in the 65th, 66th, and 68th minutes, but the Mercyhurst defense denied any shot attempts, closing out the win.
IUP goalie
Alyssa Lerda (Wexford, Pa./Pine-Richland) finished with five saves in the cage.
The Crimson Hawks did start the scoring, as
Selena West (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) netted her team-high sixth goal of the year in the eight minute. Mercyhurst came back to tie the game seven minutes later, scored its second goal in the 34th minute, and went on top by a score of 3-1 six minutes into the second half.
The game was the first of four straight on the road for IUP, which heads to Slippery Rock next for a Saturday afternoon matchup.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP field hockey on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfieldhockey.
