CALIFORNIA, Pa. - The IUP women's soccer team (6-4-0, 5-4-0 PSAC West) defeated the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans (3-7-0, 2-7-0 PSAC) by three goals to one on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Hawks were led to victory on Saturday by two seniors, as forward Taylor Karan and midfielder Mya Hilliard each scored their first goals of the season against the Vulcans. Karan would also pick up her second goal of both the match and season in the game to help IUP to claim all three points on Saturday.

How it Happened
>> Saturday's game got off to an explosive start with both team's goalkeepers being called into action within the first five minutes of the game.
>> The Crimson Hawks would get on the board first in 13^th minute. Mahogany's Willis's shot was saved by Cal goalkeeper Gianna Sinatra, but fellow IUP forward Taylor Karan was on hand to put in the rebound for her first goal of the season.
>> Not content with the single goal lead the Crimson Hawks continued to press for a second goal, with Willis and Alayna Ryan recording shots on the Vulcan net.
>> After being dominated for much of the first half the Vulcans started to push back near the end of the half, with both sides trading shots and corners during the last ten minutes of the opening period.
>> Neither side was able to take advantage of their set pieces, and IUP went into the first half break one goal to the good.
>> The Vulcans came flying out of the gates at the start of the second half, firing off two shots and earning two corner kicks within the first two minutes of the second period.
>> The Vulcans would make that pressure pay, scoring the equalizing goal minutes later in the 52^nd minute.
>> The Crimson Hawks almost immediately responded to that setback, and less than five minutes later they were back in front in the match. Midfielder Mya Hilliard's shot into the left corner of the net proved to be hot for Sinatra to handle in the Vulcan net, and IUP was once again ahead on the scoreboard. 
>> Following that goal the match entered a slight lull with neither side able to wrestle control of the match.
>> However, the Crimson Hawks were far from content to simply sit back and defend their lead, and they started to press for a third goal to kill off the game in the final ten minutes.
>> They would get that goal in the 89^th minute when Karan was once again the quickest to react to a potential chance. After Makenzie Witzel's shot hit the crossbar Karan pounced on the rebound to score her second goal of the match and give the Crimson Hawks some late breathing room.
>> Karan's goal would be the final key action of the game, and the Crimson Hawks departed California with all three points.

Game Notes
>> Saturday's victory ensured that the Crimson Hawks went 2-0 on the road this week.
>> Taylor Karan's goals against the Vulcans were her first of the season, and her four point output set a new person best for points in a game.
>> Hilliard also picked up her first goal of the season and third goal of her career in the game against the Vulcans.
>> All three of Hilliard's goals have been game winning goals.
>> Forward Mahogany Willis set up two goals on Saturday to take assist tally on the year to three, matching her total from all of last season.
>>  The Crimson Hawks earned eight corner kicks in the game, setting a new season high for corners in a match.
>> Goalkeeper Madeline Smakulski made seven saves in the game to earn the win for the Crimson Hawks.

Up Next
>> The Crimson Hawks play host to Edinboro and Salem this upcoming week. The Crimson Hawks will take on the Fighting Scots at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday before then hosting Salem University at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.