IUP Crimson Hawks vs. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Mountain Cats & Seton Hill Griffins
IUP Crimson Hawks (9-5-0, 7-5-0 PSAC West) vs. Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats (4-11-0, 3-10-0 PSAC West), Seton Hill Griffins (6-8-0, 6-6-0 PSAC West)
 
The Game
Game 15 | Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m. | IUP vs. Pitt-Johnstown | South Campus Field | Live Stats | Twitter Updates
Game 16 | Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:00 p.m. | IUP vs. Seton Hill | Dick's Sporting Goods Field | Live Stats | Live Video | Twitter Updates
   
WEEKLY NOTES
 
CRIMSON HAWKS LOOK TO TAKE MAJOR STEP TOWARDS PLAYOFF BERTH
MATCHES
The IUP women's soccer team (9-5-0, 7-5-0 PSAC West) is set for a pair of matches which could go a long way towards determining their PSAC Conference Championship fate. The Crimson Hawks will open the week at home versus the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The Crimson Hawks will face the Mountain Cats (4-11-0, 3-10-0 PSAC West) at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30^th, at the South Campus Fields. IUP will then travel to Greensburg, Pa. to take on Seton Hill (6-8-0, 6-6-0 PSAC West) on Saturday, November 2^nd, Dick's Sporting Goods Field. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. against the Griffins.
 
On the Pitch
>> The Crimson Hawks are coming off of a very successful week having gone undefeated in their two matches against Gannon and Slippery Rock.
>> The Crimson Hawks got the week off to a positive start thanks to a victory on the road over the Gannon Lady Knights.
>> The Crimson Hawks scored a pair of second half goals on Wednesday to secure a two to nothing victory over Gannon.
>> Senior forward Taylor Karan picked up her third goal of the season to give IUP the lead in the match before defender Makenzie Witzel got a the late insurance goal via a direct free kick in the 82^nd minute.
>> The Crimson Hawks then took down division leading Slippery Rock in a near mirror copy of last season's match between the two sides in Indiana.
>> The Crimson Hawks won both meetings by a score of 2-1, with Mahogany Willis scoring both IUP goals in Saturday's match, and the 2018 meeting between the two sides.

Last Time Out
>> The Crimson Hawks suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Mountain Cats in Johnstown when the two sides met for the first time this season.
>> Madeline Smakulski made nine saves in the loss for IUP
>> The Crimson Hawks also were shutout when they faced Seton Hill earlier this year in Indiana.
>> The Griffins emerged victorious in that meeting despite the Crimson Hawks outshooting the Griffins 17-12 in the game.

Series History
>> The Crimson Hawks are 5-2 against the Mountain Cats since 2013.
>> The Crimson Hawks and Mountain Cats have split the last four meetings between the two sides 2-2.
>> IUP is 2-1 against Pitt-Johnstown when hosting the Mountain Cats.
>> The Crimson Hawks have only been victorious against the Griffins once in their past five meetings.
>> The Crimson Hawks are currently in the midst of a four game losing streak aginst Seton Hill.
>> The Crimson Hawks lone victory against Seton Hill since 2012 came away at Seton Hill by a score of 6-0 in 2012.
 
Willis Watch
>> Forward Mahogany added a two goals in the Crimson Hawks two matches this past week
>> Willis now has 14 goals on the year to lead the PSAC. She is tied for 9^th in the nation with that tally.
>> Willis is also leads the PSAC with five game-winning goals this year.
>> Willis's 31 points currently tops the PSAC charts as well. Willis has put 43 of her shots on goal this season to lead the conference in that statistics too.  

Crimson Hawks Edge Closer to Playoff Berth
>> The Crimson Hawks currently sit in third place in the PSAC West Division with 21 points.
>> They trail first place Slippery Rock (who has clinched a playoff spot) by 12 points, and second place Edinboro by nine points.
>> Mercyhurst occupies the remaining playoff berth in fourth place with 19 points.
>> The Griffins and Gannon Lady Knights remain in the hunt for the three remaining playoff spots in the division. Seton Hill has 18 points so far, while Gannon has 17.

IUP Midfield Steps Up the Offensive Production
>> The IUP offense has been benefiting from some stellar offense from the team's midfielders as of late.
>> Midfielder Gia Martyn has set up two goals and scored another in the last four matches.
>> Alayna Ryan has chipped in with a goal and an assist in that span as well.
>> Five other midfielders have also added at least one goal or assist in the Crimson Hawks previous four games.

Crimson Hawks on the Goal Trail
>> The IUP offense continues to be one of the most potent attacks in the PSAC.
>> The Crimson Hawks currently rank 5^th in the entire league in scoring average. The IUP offense averages 2.286 goals per game, which is bettered only by Slippery Rock by teams in the West division.
>> The Crimson Hawks also rank fifth in the league in total goals scored with 32 so far this year.

Coaches
>> IUP: Adel Heder (19th year; 212-127-23)
>> Pitt-Johnstown: Vito Addallie (2^nd year; 9-24-0)
>> Seton Hill: Zak Kruger (1^st year; 6-8-0)

Opponents
>> The Mountain Cats lost 2-0 at Mercyhurst in their most recent match.
>> That loss was their third in a row by exact score line. The Mountain Cats also lost by two goals to none to Seton Hill and Clarion.
>> The Pitt-Johnstown offense is led by Abby LaDuke. LaDuke has 10 goals and one assist for a total of 21 points so far this year.
>> LaDuke currently ranks tied for third in the PSAC with her 10 goals.
>> Seton Hill lost to Clarion 1-0 this past Saturday.
>>The Griffins offense is led by Italia Biondi and Kate Kimmich. Biondi has 7 goals and 4 assists for a total of 18 points this year, while Kimmich has 6 goals and for assists.
>> Seton Hill will face Mercyhurst in Wednesday afternoon prior to hosting IUP on the weekend.