INDIANA, Pa. – The eighth-ranked IUP field hockey team used a pair of opening half goals and some stout defense throughout in a 3-0 shutout victory of Mercyhurst on Tuesday night at a crisp Miller Stadium.
 
IUP (7-4, 2-2) improved its record to 4-1 at home this season, receiving two goals from Jess Davidson and another from Rory Cahill. Mercyhurst (2-9, 0-3) continues searching for its first conference win of the season, mustering just two shots during the contest against the Crimson Hawks.
 
Davidson opened the scoring off a pass from Mia Watson in the ninth minute, before Davidson doubled the advantage with a strong individual effort in the second quarter. Cahill rounded out the scoring with a penalty stroke with around five minutes remaining.
 
In goal, Amanda Zaner and Brooke Eberly combined for the shutout. It marked the fourth shutout of the season, mirroring a 3-0 final score for IUP against Mercyhurst back on September 14 in Erie.
 
Mercyhurst goalkeeper Kayla Desormeau was active for the Lakers, making 13 stops on the night. IUP has allowed a combined three shot attempts in two meetings with Mercyhurst this season.
 
The Crimson Hawks jumped in front just over eight minutes into the opening stanza, with Davidson placing the first goal of the contest into the cage for a 1-0 advantage. Ally Myers had a penalty stroke chance float wide in the 11th minute of the contest as the Crimson Hawks maintained the offensive pressure.
 
Early in the second, Davidson hesitated and worked around a Mercyhurst defender before slotting a shot home for her team-leading ninth goal of the season and a 2-0 IUP edge. Roos van Herel had consecutive scoring chances saved with IUP continuing to own possession.
 
Neither side found the goal in the third quarter despite IUP holding a 5-1 edge in shots over the stanza. Shelby Harnish registered a pair of shots for the IUP offense in the final 15 minutes, while Cahill added her second goal of the season on a penalty stroke tally after a whistle in front.
 
IUP held a decisive 12-0 edge in penalty corners in the contest. Prior to starting lineups, IUP recognized faculty members and staff on the field.
 
Up Next
IUP heads east for a matchup with Kutztown on Saturday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m.
 
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP field hockey on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfieldhockey.
 

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