INDIANA, Pa. - Despite coming back from a very early deficit, the IUP Women's Soccer team eventually came up short in their efforts to upset the 24th ranked Seton Hill Griffins on Wednesday afternoon.

The visiting team got off to the best possible start thanks a goal within the first minute of play. Despite this early set setback, the Crimson Hawks (4-2, 3-2 PSAC) were able to regain their composure and prevent the deficit from growing further.

As the half wore on the Crimson Hawks grew into the match eventually capitalizing on a turnover by the Seton Hill defense to level the score in the 18h minute. Senior Forward Kallie Conte intercepted an attempted pass out of the back by a Seton Hill defender and immediately played in Junior Nikki Bowman with an astute slide rule pass. Bowman found herself 1-on-1 with Griffins goalkeeper Jessica Neil and drilled a low shot near post beating Neil and evening the score at one a piece.

The remainder of the first half passed without too much incident, and the two sides went into the break deadlocked. The second half started much as the first half had ended, with both sides trading chances here and there. Seton Hill forward Emily LoPresti who had set up the Griffins opening goal continued to be a danger throughout the game as she repeatedly looked to create a half yard of space to get off a shot and test the Crimson Hawks defense.

On the other end a series of corners provided several excellent scoring opportunities for the Crimson Hawks, with Gianna Parlavecchio coming especially close with a clever flick off of a Bowman service that almost slipped past the Griffins keeper.

Ultimately IUP would be left to rue their missed chances when in the 68th minute Griffins midfielder Melanie Renea found teammate Italia Biondi with a pass just inside the IUP box. Biondi then unleashed a shot which found the top corner of the IUP net to give Seton Hill the lead.

The remaining 20 minutes of the game saw the Crimson Hawks press for a second tying goal, but the Seton Hill defense held firm denying IUP a second win over a nationally ranked opponent this season.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks welcome the East Stroudsburg Warriors (2-2-1, 2-1-1 PSAC) to town for an afternoon match this Saturday. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at the South Campus Field.
 
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.