INDIANA, Pa. – Freshman Blaise Cugini scored with seven seconds left in the overtime period to give IUP field hockey a 2-1 victory over Mercyhurst Wednesday night at Miller Stadium.
 
Lizzi Clemmer led the late 2-on-1 breakaway as she passed across the cage to Cugini who had the one-touch shot for the game-winner.
 
It was Cugini's fifth goal of the season and Clemmer's first assist. The win was an important one for the Crimson Hawks, who moved into sixth place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) standings. The win, coupled with Millersville's 1-0 loss to East Stroudsburg, gives IUP a one-game lead with one game left in the regular season.
 
The top six teams in the standings at the end of the year advance to next week's PSAC tournament.
 
The Crimson Hawks got some much-needed revenge on the Lakers, who won a 2-1 shootout in a non-league mandated matchup in Erie earlier in the season. Mercyhurst gained the earlier advantage tonight with a goal just 42 seconds into the game.
 
Brianna Lubarsky scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season in the 21st minute to tie the score at 1-1. Georgiana Chiavacci passed from the right wing across the cage to Lubarsky waiting in the left corner.
 
Both teams saw more offensive chances in the second half with a combined seven shots and seven penalty corners. Neither team was able to take advantage for nearly 50 minutes of game action until Cugini's game-winner. IUP outshot Mercyhurst 8-2 in the overtime period.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks will look to clinch their first PSAC postseason appearance since 2016 as they travel to Kutztown to take on the third-ranked Golden Bears (11-5, 6-3) Saturday. A win gives IUP the final spot in the tournament. Game time is 11 a.m.
 
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP field hockey on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfieldhockey.