WEST CHESTER, Pa. – A late deflection from
Fatou Yade Diop pushed the IUP field hockey team to a rainy 2-1 road win over fourth-ranked West Chester on Saturday afternoon.
IUP (7-4, 4-2) snapped a nine-game skid to West Chester (8-5, 3-3) that dated back to 2016. The win marks the second road win against a top-10 opponent this season for the Crimson Hawks, previously besting Millersville in overtime back on September 23.
IUP defeated West Chester on the road for the first time in the head-to-head series, dating back to 2011. It's just the second victory for the Hawks against perennial power West Chester in the all-time series.
Jess Davidson opened the scoring for IUP in the second quarter, finishing off a penalty corner shot with assists to
Roos van Herel and
Sydney Schmouder. WCU responded late in the third quarter with Cameron Smith's first goal of the season, leveling the score at one.
Diop delivered her first collegiate goal with just 1:15 remaining, deflecting a
Devon Johnson shot from the right side of the goal for the game-winner. IUP was outstanding defensively, allowing just two shots on goal.
Anita Planella made one save in 60 minutes of action with Alina Burger countering with three stops for the Golden Rams.
Davidson now has 49 points in her IUP career, picking up her 23rd career goal in the opening half on Saturday. She moves into sole possession of 10th on the IUP all-time goals list, while her 49 career points push her into a tie for 15th during her sophomore season.
Shots were even at six on the day with WCU holding a slight 4-3 edge in penalty corners.
Up Next
IUP visits seventh-ranked Mansfield for road action on Wednesday, October 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP field hockey on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfieldhockey.
