2019 PSAC Quarterfinals: IUP Crimson Hawks vs. Slippery Rock 'The Rock'
IUP Crimson Hawks (10-8-0, 8-8-0 PSAC West) vs. Slippery Rock 'The Rock' (15-3-0, 14-2-0 PSAC West)
 
The Game
Game 19 | Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1:00 p.m. | IUP vs. Slippery Rock | Mihalik-Thompson Stadium | Live Stats | Live Video | Twitter Updates | Championship Homepage
   
WEEKLY NOTES
 
CRIMSON HAWKS TAKE ON SLIPPERY ROCK IN PSAC QUARTERFINALS
The IUP women's soccer team (10-8-0, 8-8-0 PSAC West) returns to the PSAC women's soccer playoffs after missing out on the post-season last year. The Crimson Hawks earned the No. 4 seed in the West division and will travel to the No. 1 Slippery Rock (15-3-0, 14-2-0 PSAC West) on Tuesday afternoon for their first round match up. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

On the Pitch
>> The Crimson Hawks dropped a pair of conference matches this past week on the road at Mercyhurst, and at home against Clarion on Saturday.
>> The IUP women's soccer team kicked off the week on the road in Erie at Mercyhurst. The Crimson Hawks went into the matching knowing that a victory would clinch a playoff spot for the team, but unfortunately were unable to claim a victory over the Lakers.
>> The Crimson Hawks would ultimately succumbing to a 5-0 loss.
>> The Crimson Hawks then returned home for Senior Day against the Clarion Golden Eagles on Wednesday knowing that their playoff fate was still in their hands.
>> While the Crimson Hawks were unable to claim victory in their final regular season match, falling 1-0 to the Golden Eagles, thanks to Slippery Rock's victory over Gannon the Crimson Hawks were able to secure the fourth playoff spot in the West division.

Last Time Out
>> The Crimson Hawks split their pair of matches with Slippery Rock in the regular season.
>> In the first meeting between the two sides, the Crimson Hawks fell to Slippery Rock on the road 3-1.
>> Mahogany Willis opened the scoring for IUP in the match with a fifth minute goal.
>> Slippery Rock would respond with a goal just before the half to level things up, before then adding two goals in the second half to earn the win.
>> The Crimson Hawks would get their revenge for that defeat when the two sides met again later in the season at the South Campus Field.
>> Once again Mahogany Willis opened the scoring for the Crimson Hawks early in the match only for Slippery Rock to equalize before the end of the first half.
>> Unlike in the first match, it was IUP who would grab the vital third goal of the game, as yet again Mahogany Willis found the back of the net for the Crimson Hawks.
>> Goalkeeper Madeline Smakulski made nine saves in the game to help the Crimson Hawks to the win.

Series History
>> The Crimson Hawks and Slippery Rock are knotted at five wins each in their previous 10 meetings.
>> Both sides have tended to be most successful when hosting the other, as both teams are 4-1 at home since 2010.
>> The Crimson Hawks last won at Slippery Rock in 2013.
 
PSAC Tournament History
>> Tuesday's match will be IUP's seventh appearance in the PSAC tournament in the past 10 seasons.
>> The Crimson Hawks have been on the road for all seven of those games.
>> The Crimson Hawks last advanced to the PSAC tournament semifinals in 2009.
>> IUP last played Slippery Rock in the PSAC tournament in 2006. The Crimson Hawks emerged victorious in that match 2-1 in double overtime.
 
Battle of the Forwards
>> Tuesday's match up will pit the top two offensive players in the conference against each other.
>> IUP's sophomore forward Mahogany Willis will go against Slippery Rock's own sophomore striker Rachel Edge.
>> The two strikers finished the regular season tied as the PSAC's leading goal scorers with 15 goals each.
>> The two strikers also finished one and two in the PSAC in total points. Edge currently leads the conference with 38 points, while Willis is in second with 34 points.
>> So far this season Willis has held a distinct advantage over Edge in their head to head meetings. Willis had scored three goals in the two games earlier this year, while Edge has been held scoreless thus far this season when facing IUP.
  
Coaches
>> IUP: Adel Heder (19th year; 211-130-23)
>> Slippery Rock: Jessica Griggs (2^nd year; 71-37-7)

Opponent
>> The Slippery Rock women's soccer team is currently on a three game winning streak, with their most recent loss coming at the hands of the Crimson Hawks.
>> Slippery Rock went 2-0 this past week defeating Edinboro 3-2, and Gannon 4-0.
>> The Rock earned the number 1 seed in the West Division after winning 14 regular season conference games and earning 42 total points.

Potential Future Opponents
>> Should the Crimson Hawks emerge victorious on Tuesday, they will face the winner of the match between Millersville and East Stroudsburg.