ERIE, Pa. - Forwards Kallie Conte and Mahogany Willis each notched a goal and an assist on Tuesday afternoon to help lead the IUP women's soccer team (8-7-1, 6-7-1 PSAC) to victory in the first of their back-to-back games against Erie based opponents.

The Crimson Hawks were looking to play the role of spoiler on the day as they took on a Gannon team that needed a win to keep their hopes of a conference playoff berth alive. With such high stakes for the home team, it was unsurprising that the opening stages of the game were a tight affair with both sides being restricted to a few long range free-kicks as their main chances on goal. It wasn't until the 25^th minute that either side was able to fashion a clear-cut opportunity when Nikki Bowman almost scored directly from an IUP corner kick, hitting the post with her service only to see the ball rebound out of bounds rather than into the back of the net.  

With the IUP defense restricting the Gannon frontline to hopeful through balls and long-range shots that presented few problems for goalkeeper Madeline Smakulski in the IUP net, it seemed as though the first half was destined to end without a goal. However, a flurry of action starting in the 34^th minute put to bed that worry when Taylor Lewis gave Gannon the lead with a nifty finish, only to see Mahogany Willis answer right back for the Crimson Hawks minutes later. As has been the case so often this season Senior Kallie Conte was again the architect for the IUP goal, as she speared-head an IUP counter attack down the left flank before playing a perfectly timed ball behind the Gannon defense to send Willis in on a breakaway. With just the goalkeeper to beat Willis calmly rounded the onrushing Gannon goalie and tapped the ball into the empty net for her 12^th goal of the year.

Willis would return the favor in the 54^th minute when her pass found Conte unmarked inside the Gannon 18-yard box, once again leaving an IUP attacker with only the goalkeeper between them and the net. Conte proved to be just as cool in front of goal as her teammate, as her shot was perfectly placed between the legs of the sliding goalie to give IUP the lead in the early stages of the second half.

Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive the Lady Knights responded to going behind with an increase in the tempo and urgency of their play, with their attacks taking on a more and more frantic nature as the clock ticked down. As the game neared its conclusion the Crimson Hawks worked hard to protect their lead, occasionally hitting Gannon on the counter attack. In the 70^th minute it looked as though Nikki Bowman had wrapped up the game for IUP when she put the ball into the Gannon net, only to see her effort chalked off for offsides. While Gannon had a few opportunities from set pieces in the final stages of the match, they were unable to make any of those chances count, as the IUP defenders held on to preserve the victory for the Crimson Hawks.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks remain in Erie for a match against Mercyhurst (7-8-1, 5-8-1 PSAC) on Wednesday afternoon. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Soccer Field.

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