KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Despite six saves from senior goalie Jessica Printz (Fairfax, Va./WT Woodson), IUP women's soccer started off its road weekend with a 1-0 loss to Kutztown in conference play on Friday afternoon.
 
It was the first conference loss for the Crimson Hawks in more than two weeks, as they fall into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with 15 points. They're joined by Kutztown and Slippery Rock, six points behind third place Edinboro (21).
 
IUP is now 6-4 overall on the season and 5-3 in the PSAC. The Golden Bears improve to 7-2 and 5-2.
 
Printz had her third game this year of six or more saves, allowing the deciding goal in the sixth minute to Kutztown's Katie Miller.
 
The Crimson Hawks totaled seven shots, including four on goal, with two coming from PSAC-leading scorer Lexie Palluconi (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport). Kutztown held a 15-7 advantage in total shots, and 13-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
IUP had two shots on goal in the final 18 minutes, with tries by Kiersten Zerbe (Danville, Pa. /Danville) and Courtney McHugh (Hummelstown, Pa. /Hershey) both stopped by KU goaltender Imani Taylor.
 
The Crimson Hawks continue their weekend road trip with a huge test on Saturday, taking on fourth-ranked East Stroudsburg (7-1, 7-0) at 2:30 p.m.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.