INDIANA, Pa. – Here's an overview of the week ahead for IUP Athletics.
 
Full Composite Schedule | Live Coverage
 
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL (15-7, 5-3 PSAC)
Tuesday, October 17
vs. California (Pa.) – KCAC – 6:00 p.m. – Dig Pink/My Cause Game - Live Video – Live Stats
 
Friday, October 20
at Mercyhurst – 6:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
IUP begins its second trip through conference play with a game at home and on the road this week. The Crimson Hawks host California (Pa.) on October 17 from the KCAC before visiting Mercyhurst on October 20.
 
IUP is coming off consecutive divisional weeks late last week against Seton Hill and Slippery Rock. Stefania Anagnostou was named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on October 16 following a strong all-around week, one of several standouts in the divisional victories. Nyla Birch, who ranks seventh in the PSAC in total kills, racked up 26 kills and hit .415 last week for a balanced IUP attack.
 
IUP leads all NCAA divisions (I, II and III) in total team blocks this season (238.0). Lauren Valentic ranks third in the nation in blocks/set (1.45), one of three IUP players to rank among the top 10 in the conference. IUP battled Cal U in a closely contested rad sweep in the first meeting of the season, coming at the Convocation center on September 22.
 
WOMEN'S SOCCER (4-5-3, 3-5-2 PSAC)
Wednesday, October 18
at Pitt-Johnstown – 4:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
Saturday, October 21
vs. Slippery Rock – South Campus Field – 1:00 p.m. – Senior Day – Live Video – Live Stats
 
After falling to division-leading Mercyhurst, IUP has an opportunity to bounce back with a pair of contests this week. The Hawks open the week with a short trip to Pitt-Johnstown on October 18 before hosting Slippery Rock for Senior Day on October 21.
 
Julia Csernyik delivered her third goal of the season for IUP last Wednesday on a set piece tally against Clarion on October 11. IUP is currently sitting one spot from a playoff berth entering the week with a 3-5-2 conference mark.
 
Hannah Scardina leads the team with seven goals this season, just four games shy of 50 for her collegiate career.  Her 26 career goals are just two shy of cracking the top 10 list for all-time goals in program history.
 
FIELD HOCKEY (7-4, 4-2 PSAC)
Wednesday, October 18
 
at #7 Mansfield – 4:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
Saturday, October 21
vs. #2 Shippensburg – Miller Stadium – 4:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
NOTE: Rankings reflect Week Five NFHCA poll; home event streams on the PSAC Digital Network will populate prior to the start of the contest and may require a refresh of the app/browser
 
The demanding schedule keeps on coming for IUP field hockey, squaring off with two ranked programs this week at seventh-ranked Mansfield before hosting second-ranked Shippensburg. The Crismon Hawks posted a historic road win at fourth-ranked West Chester, 2-1, for the first victory at WCU in the all-time series.
 
Fatou Yade Diop deflected a Devon Johnson attempt late in the fourth quarter for a 2-1 lead. Jess Davidson continued her strong sophomore campaign with a goal early in the second quarter, her 11th of the season. Davidson is one point shy of 50 with 23 career goals and three assists for the Crimson Hawks, leading the offensive charge throughout the season.
 
This week's slate begins the stretch run for the Hawks with just four regular season games remaining.
 
MEN'S GOLF
October 20-22
at PSAC Men's Golf Championships – Iron Valley Golf Club – Lebanon, Pa.
 
IUP men's golf looks for its fifth consecutive conference title this week at the PSAC Championships, held October 20-22 at Iron Valley Golf Club. With a practice round set for October 19, the Hawks will have a chance to preview the course ahead of the three-round tournament.
 
The Hawks boast a record 32 conference championships in program history.
 
Guillermo Salazar won medalist honors at last year's event, carding a three-under 69 in the final round to win the tournament by one. This fall, IUP has played a demanding schedule of competition outside the region.
 
IUP battled back over the final 18 holes at the Post Invitational, carding an impressive 277 teams core to claim first at the three-round tournament. Shaun Fedor and Salazar closed out the 54-hole tournament and finished in a tie for fifth, while Aidan LeBlanc carded the low round of his brief collegiate career with a five-under 66.
 
Alex Swinnerton, the league's reigning PSAC Freshman of the Year, has competed consistently at a high level this fall with a even-par average of 71.57 through 14 rounds. Swinnerton has won a pair of tournaments individually this fall, recording six rounds of par or better in five tournaments.
 
M/W CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday, October 21
at PSAC Cross Country Championships – 10:00 a.m. (W) – 11:00 a.m. (M) -- Bloomsburg, Pa.
 
Idle since a busy weekend in early October, IUP heads to Bloomsburg for the 2023 PSAC Championships. The Hawks competed at the Bloomsburg Invitational, the site of this year's race on October 7, also sending a men's grouping to the Lewis Crossover Invitational.
 
Evan Weaver logged 14th in the 8K race at Bloomsburg in 27:30.1, while Stella Kuntz paced IUP on the women's side in the 6K race, posting 28th overall in 25:20.2. In the Lewis Invitational, sophomore Mike Formica paced the lineup with quality runners throughout, logging 43rd with a time of 24:55.9.
 
FOOTBALL (4-3, 2-2 PSAC)
Saturday, October 21
at Seton Hill – 3:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Audio – Live Stats
 
 IUP took its level of physicality to another level in the second half, knocking off Edinboro with a 20-10 victory in the rain last Saturday at Miller Stadium. The win snaped a two-game slide against the top two teams in the PSAC West in Slippery Rock and California (Pa.). A full comprehensive preview with game notes and other fan information will be posted to IUPAthletics.com later in the week.
 
Nico Marchitelli made his first collegiate start, tossing a pair of touchdown passes in the game. Dayjure Stewart opened and closed the scoring in the victory, racking up 162 rushing yards at nearly 10 yards per carry. On defense, Drew DiNunzio-Biss posted nine tackles with Tyrone Fowler Jr. and Logan Danielson adding seven more each.

 

---