***UPDATE***

Due to the week's inclement weather forecast, Saturdays' senior day match versus Clarion has been moved to the Indiana Area Senior High School turf field. Game time will remain at 1:30 p.m.

---

IUP Crimson Hawks vs. Mercyhurst Lakers & Clarion Golden Eagles
IUP Crimson Hawks (10-6-0, 8-6-0 PSAC West) vs. Mercyhurst Lakers (9-5-2, 8-5-1 PSAC West), Clarion Golden Knights (4-11-1, 3-10-1 PSAC West)
 
The Game
Game 17 | Wednesday, Nov. 6, 3:00 p.m. | IUP vs. Mercyhurst | Mercyhurst Soccer Field | Live Stats | Live Video | Twitter Updates
Game 18 | Saturday, Nov. 9, 1:30 p.m. | IUP vs. Clarion | Indiana Area Senior High School | Live Stats | Twitter Updates
   
WEEKLY NOTES
 
CRIMSON HAWKS SET FOR SENIOR DAY AND PLAYOFF SPOT BATTLE
The IUP women's soccer team (10-6-0, 8-6-0 PSAC West) heads into their final week of regular competition with a pair of critical PSAC West division matches on their schedule as they look to secure a spot in the 2019 PSAC Championships. The Crimson Hawks will start the week on the road at Mercyhurst University. The Crimson Hawks will battle the Lakers (9-5-2, 8-5-1 PSAC West) at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November 6th in Erie, Pa. IUP will then host Clarions University (4-11-1, 3-10-1 PSAC West) for Senior Day on Saturday, November 9^th, at the South Campus Field. Kick off is set for 1:30 p.m. against the Golden Eagles.
 
On the Pitch
>> The Crimson Hawks split a pair of conference matches this past week at home against Pitt-Johnstown and away against Seton Hill.
>> The IUP women's soccer team began the week at home against the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Mountain Cats.
>> Despite outshooting their visitors eleven to seven, the Crimson Hawks were unable to find the back of the net in the match, and were undone by a set piece goal in the second half by the Mountain Cats.
>> The Crimson Hawks were just edged in the corner kick department in the game. The Mountain Cats earned five corners to IUP's four.
>> The Crimson Hawks then faced a tough match on the road against Seton Hill on Saturday.
>> The Crimson Hawks rebounded from that disappointing result in their second match of the week away to Seton Hill.
>> The Crimson Hawks scored a comprehensive 4-0 victory against the Griffins on Saturday afternoon.
>> Three first half goals from Mahogany Willis, Taylor Karan, and Gia Martyn gave IUP a comfortable lead to defend in the game. Karan would add her second of the day, and IUP's fourth and final goal in the match just over ten minutes into the second half to wrap up the win for the Crimson Hawks.

Last Time Out
>> The Crimson Hawks scored a 2-1 win against Mercyhurst at the South Campus Field in their first match up.
>> Freshman Alayna Ryan was the star of the show for IUP on the day. She set up IUP's first goal just minutes into the first half, before then scoring IUP's second goal in the 14^th minute.
>> Mahogany Willis got the opening goal for the Crimson Hawks, who despite giving up a goal in the second half were able to make their early lead hold up in the end.
>> Goalkeeper Madeline Smakulski made seven saves to earn the win.
>> The Crimson Hawks were at Clarion in their first meeting. IUP was victorious in that game by two goals to none.
>> The score sheet had a familiar look in that game for IUP, with Willis and then Ryan once again notching the goals for the Crimson Hawks.
>> The Crimson Hawks had to wait until the second half to get their goals. Willis opened the scoring for IUP just seconds into the second period. Ryan then gave IUP some breathing room with a strike in the 74^th minute.
>> Madeline Smakulski made two saves to earn the shutout win against the Golden Eagles.

Series History
>> The Crimson Hawks hold a 5-3-2 edge over Mercyhurst in their last ten meetings.
>> The Crimson Hawks are currently riding a three game winning streak against the Lakers.
>> The Crimson Hawks were last defeated by Mercyhurst in Erie in 2013.
>> IUP is 9-1 against Clarion dating back to 2010.
>> The Crimson Hawks have suffered only one home loss to the Golden Eagles in that period.
>> Six of the Crimson Hawks nine wins have been shutout victories.
 
Senior Day Record
>> The Crimson Hawks are 3-3-3 when celebrating senior day over the past nine seasons.
 
Willis Watch
>> Forward Mahogany Willis added a goal and an assist in the Crimson Hawks two matches this week.
>> Willis has 15 goals on the year to lead the PSAC. She has now set a new personal best for goals in a season, surpassing her total of 14 last year.
>> Willis leads the PSAC with five game-winning goals this year.
>> Willis's 34 points currently sits second the PSAC charts as well. Willis has placed 45 of her shots on goal this season to lead the conference in that statistical category.
 
This Year's Senior Class
>> This year's senior class is comprised of defenders Jackie Mitchell and Emily Grychowski, midfielders Mya Hillard and Gabrielle Desousa, and forwards Taylor Karan and Mckenna Keffel.
>> This year's senior class has racked up some impressive stats. They have compiled a total of 117 starts, 209 appearances, 19 goals, 13 assists, and 50 points over the past four years.
>> They have also compiled a record of 40-29-2 during their careers so far at IUP.
>> The six seniors have helped to lead IUP to two PSAC quarterfinal appearances thus far.

Playoff Situation
>> The Crimson Hawks currently sit fourth in the PSAC west with 24 points.
>> The Crimson Hawks trail third place Mercyhurst by one point, second place Edinboro by six points, and are ahead of fifth place Gannon by four points.
>> Should the Crimson Hawks defeat the Lakers on Wednesday they would move ahead of Mercyhurst by two points.
>> A win on Wednesday would also lock up a playoff spot for the Crimson Hawks with one match remaining in the regular season.
 
Coaches
>> IUP: Adel Heder (19th year; 211-128-23)
>> Mercyhurst: Jon Arlet (2^nd year; 17-14-3)
>> Clarion: Afrim Latifi (1^st year; 4-11-1)

Opponents
>> The Lakers and the Golden Knights squared off against each other this past weekend.
>> Mercyhurst emerged victorious from that contest by a score of one to nothing.
>> The Golden Eagles will face Gannon on Wednesday night before taking on IUP this weekend.
>> The Lakers offense is led by Alyssa Otto. She currently has 10 goals and 23 points.
>> The Golden Eagles most dangerous offensive player is Andie Hill. She had accounted for 10 points this year, having scored 5 goals so far this year.