CLARION, Pa. – Two second half goals propelled the IUP women's soccer team (5-4-0, 4-4-0 PSAC West) to a road victory over the host Clarion Golden Eagles (1-8-0, 0-8-0, PSAC West) on Wednesday night. A goal by Mahogany Willis just seconds into the second half followed by Alayna Ryan's second goal in as many games helped the Crimson Hawks to leave Clarion with the win.

How it Happened
>> The Crimson Hawks got their first opportunity of the game just 5 minutes into the first half. An IUP corner kick caused chaos in the Clarion box, but unfortunately none of the Crimson Hawks players were able to get to the loose ball to force it home, and the Golden Eagles were able to clear it to safety.
>> Despite some early IUP dominance on offensive side of things the Golden Eagles slowly started to create a chance or two of their own, forcing the IUP backline to remain alert to potential danger.
>> The game continued to become more stretched as the first half progressed, taking on an end-to-end track meet style feel. While both sides were able to generate some decent scoring chances, neither side was able to find the breakthrough.
>> The Crimson Hawks did come close to breaking the deadlock in the 35^th minute when a quick counter attack sprang forward Samantha Joyce into the Clarion box, only for her shot to hit the post.
>> Just minutes later forward Mahogany Willis had a chance of her own to put IUP in front, but her breakaway chance went just high of the Clarion goal.
>> With neither side able to capitalize during the first 45 minutes of play the two teams went into the halftime break knotted at nil-nil.
>> The deadlock wouldn't last for long though, as just seconds after the second half restart Willis would open the scoring for the Crimson Hawks. Willis' speed proved to be too much for the Golden Eagle backline to handle, and she kept her composure to tuck her shot past the Golden Eagles goalkeeper and put IUP ahead in the game.
>> The Crimson Hawks would then get two great chances to double that lead. Willis' shot in the 50^th minute went just wide of the Golden Eagles net, and a few minutes later Clarion goalkeeper Brigid Stermel made a great save to keep the Crimson Hawks off the board yet again.
>> Stermel would be called into action on numerous occasions in the second half, as the Crimson Hawks generated several quality chances to double their lead, only to be denied by save after save from Stermel.
>> However there was little that Stermel could do in the 75^th minute when Alayna Ryan's shot found the upper corner to double the IUP lead. Mya Hilliard found her fellow midfielder about 18 yards from the Clarion goal, and Ryan uncorked a drive into the net.
>> Less than a minute later Ryan almost added to the IUP lead, as she managed to beat the Clarion backline and Stermel, only to see her shot go inches wide of the post yet again.
>> Neither side would be able to add to the scoreboard in the remaining fifteen minutes of the match, which suited the Crimson Hawks just fine as they were able to claim their fourth conference win of the season.

Game Notes
>> The score sheet for the Crimson Hawks had a familiar look to it, as for the second straight game Willis and Ryan found the back of the net for the Crimson Hawks.
>> After going on a five game scoring streak to open the season, Willis has now scored in two straight games to potentially start a new streak.
>> The three points picked up by the Crimson Hawks moves IUP into a tie with Seton Hill for the fourth and final playoff spot in the PSAC West division at the halfway mark in the season.
>> Mya Hilliard picked up her third assist of the season on Ryan's goal to move into a tie with Ryan for the team lead.
>> IUP goalkeeper Madeline Smakulski made two saves to earn the shutout victory in net for the Crimson Hawks. Wednesday night's victory was her third shutout of the season.

Up Next
>> The Crimson Hawks are on the road again as they head to California, Pa. to take on the Vulcans on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.