WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Top-ranked West Chester pulled away from eighth-ranked IUP field hockey in a 4-1 setback for the Crimson Hawks in nonconference play on Tuesday night.
In a top-10 matchup featuring two unbeaten teams, West Chester (6-0) netted three unanswered goals in the second half in securing the victory. The Golden Rams owned the statistical advantage with a 25-3 edge in shots, marking the eighth consecutive victory in the series against IUP.
IUP (3-1) goalkeeper
Amanda Zaner made 15 stops on the evening, while
Rory Cahill netted her first goal of the season for the Crimson Hawks.
West Chester dictated the offensive output throughout much of the opening half, posting the first eight shots of the contest. Zaner stood tall, keeping the Golden Rams off the scoreboard through the early flurry of chances.
WCU eventually broke through with a tip shot from the middle from Claudia Jaszczak at 5:14 of the first quarter, pushing the hosts ahead 1-0.
IUP countered back with an equalizer on what was ultimately its lone shot attempt in the first half. Cahill converted following a penalty corner from the left side at 6:17, slotting a low shot that found the inside of the cage.
Both sides clamped down on the defensive end for much of the second quarter with Zaner turning aside a pair of chances at 22:14 and 25:03. IUP limited a West Chester rush following a green card, continuing to hold the Golden Rams at bay in the offensive end despite a high volume of chances. With under 10 seconds in the opening half, the Golden Rams sent one final penalty corner wide of the target. Overall, West Chester held a 14-1 edge in shots in the first half.
The Crimson Hawks staved off a quality West Chester chance after a misplay as Paige Wolfe released turning a shot wide early in the third quarter. Moments later, a chance deflected beyond the outstretched arm of Zaner just wide of the cage at the 36:10 mark.
WCU continued pressing forward with three unanswered goals for a 4-1 advantage, posting markers at 37:39, 41:18 and 51:16. Zaner denied a pair of scoring looks off a penalty corner, keeping IUP within striking distance in the early moments of the fourth quarter before the Golden Rams added an insurance tally at 4-1.
Cara Betancourt earned the assist on the Cahill goal in the first half.
Up Next
IUP field hockey returns home on Saturday, September 24, hosting Coker at Miller Stadium at 11:00 a.m.
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