ERIE, Pa. – IUP senior Amy Weinberg (Clarksville, Md./Atholton) broke the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) women's lacrosse record for career assists, dishing out two while scoring three goals of her own as 16th-ranked Crimson Hawks upset fifth-ranked Mercyhurst 11-7 on Tuesday.
 
Weinberg entered the game tied with Lock Haven's Kayleigh Johnson (2009-12) for first in PSAC history with 184 career assists. She broke the record when she dished to Brittney Palardy (Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall) to give the Crimson Hawks a 5-3 lead at the 24:35 mark of the second half.
 
The win was huge for IUP, which remained in the hunt for the PSAC regular season title. The Crimson Hawks improved to 9-5 overall and 7-2 in the league. Mercyhurst, which entered the game all alone at the top of the standings, fell to 12-2 overall and 8-1 in the conference.
 
Weinberg's assist on Palardy's goal was part of a 5-0 run for the Crimson Hawks, who broke open a 4-3 game at halftime to take an 8-3 lead with under 20 minutes to play in the game. Ally Burrows (Marcellus, N.Y./Marcellus) got the run started with a goal just before halftime, with Palardy following with two goals, while Burrows and Weinberg each netted one.
 
IUP widened its lead to 10-4 with just over 11 minutes to play with goals from Carissa Smith (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) and Adriana Greco (Sound Beach, N.Y./Rocky Point). Mercyhurst tried getting back into it, scoring three straight, but it was too little, too late as the Crimson Hawks put the finishing touches on the upset win.
 
The win was the first for the Crimson Hawks over a ranked opponent this season. IUP was 0-4 against top 20 teams, including three consecutive heartbreaking, one-goal losses to No. 7 West Chester (9-8), No. 6 Lock Haven (10-9), and No. 3 Lindenwood (9-8).
 
Today's win was IUP's first over an opponent ranked this high since defeating fourth-ranked Lock Haven 11-9 back in 2014.
 
Weinberg continues to add to an already fantastic collegiate career. The two-time All-American became IUP's career assist leader last season, owns the PSAC single game record with 11 assists, and her 67 assists in 2015 is tied for third most in a single season in conference history. She also owns the top three single season assist marks in school history – 67 in 2015; 53 in 2014; and 48 this season.
 
Weinberg is also second in IUP career history with 256 points, scoring 70 goals to go along with her 186 assists.
 
Weinberg and the Crimson Hawks have three games left in the regular season, including a road contest against Edinboro on Thursday.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's lacrosse on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPlacrosse.