INDIANA, Pa. - The IUP women's soccer team (10-8-0, 8-8-0 PSAC West) clinched a berth in the 2019 PSAC Women's Soccer Championship playoffs despite coming up short against the Clarion Golden Eagles (5-12-1, 4-11-1 PSAC West) on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Hawks would ultimately be undone by a set piece goal midway through the second half on Senior Day.

How it Happened
>> The Crimson Hawks got the first real scoring chance of the game in the 10th minute when Mahogany Willis beat the Clarion defense, only to put her shot just wide of the post.
>> Senior forward McKenna Keffel was a threat for the Crimson Hawks all day, and she almost opened the scoring for IUP in the 15th minute with a winding run and arrowed shot which was destined for the corner of the net until Clarion goalkeeper Brigid Stermel made a diving save.
>> Stermel was called into action yet again in the 18th minute, this time to deny Willis on a breakaway opportunity.
>> The Crimson Hawks offense seemed to be clicking on all fronts, with Willis and Keffel terrorizing the Clarion backline. Keffel once again had a great chance to put IUP on the board in the 30th minute when he shot from a tight angle went just inches wide of the post.
>> Willis would come even closer to scoring than her strike mate just four minutes later when she turned a Samantha Joyce cutback onto the Clarion crossbar.
>> Despite their numerous chances, the Crimson Hawks were unable to break the deadlock in the first half, and the Golden Eagles were able to escape into the halftime break at 0-0.
>> The Crimson Hawks picked up in the second half right where they had left off, with midfielder Gabrielle DeSousa creating the first meaningful chance of the second period with a spinning shot in the 49th minute that Stermel was barely able to corral. 
>> The Crimson Hawks were then struck with a sucker punch halfway through the second period when the Golden Eagles scored off of their first, and only corner kick of the game. 
>> The Crimson Hawks now found themselves needing a goal to force extra time, but the Golden Eagles were comfortable with sitting back and defending their lead.
>> IUP would come the closest to getting that tying goal in the 86th minute through a Taylor Karan shot, but once again Stermel was on hand to make a diving save to prevent the Crimson Hawks equalizer, and help Clarion to escape Indiana with the win. 
 
Game Notes
>> The Crimson Hawks out shot the Golden Eagles 20-5.
>> Mahogany Willis led the Crimson Hawks with six shots, four of which were on goal.
>> The Crimson Hawks earned two corner kicks in the game.
>> The foul count in the game was fairly even on Saturday. IUP committed 8 fouls, while the visitors were whistled 7 times.
>> IUP goalkeeper Madeline Smakulski made three saves in the game. 

Crimson Hawks Earn Playoff Berth Despite Loss
>> Although the Crimson Hawks were on the wrong side of the result on Saturday, thanks to Slippery Rock's victory over Gannon, the Crimson Hawks finished ahead of the Golden Knights by one point in the standings to earn the fourth and final West Division playoff berth.

Crimson Hawks Celebrate Their Senior Class
>> Saturday's game provided the IUP women's soccer program with the opportunity to recognize and celebrate this year's senior class.
>> The 2019 IUP women's soccer team senior class is comprised of defenders Jackie Mitchell and Emily Grychowski, midfielders Mya Hilliard and Gabrielle DeSousa, and forwards Taylor Karan and McKenna Keffel. 

Up Next
>> The Crimson Hawks will travel to Slippery Rock, Pa. to face the No. 1 seed in the West on Tuesday, November 12. The Crimson Hawks and Slippery Rock will face off at 1:00 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.