INDIANA, Pa. – Here's an overview of the Homecoming week ahead for IUP Athletics.
 
Full Composite Schedule | Live Coverage
 
FIELD HOCKEY (5-3, 2-1 PSAC)
Wednesday, October 4 
at Mercyhurst - 2:00 p.m. – Live Video - Live Stats
 
Saturday, October 7 
vs. No. 9 Bloomsburg – Miller Stadium – 7:00 p.m. – Alumni Weekend/Homecoming - Live Video – Live Stats
 
Note: For home contests, the PSAC Digital Network stream will be available about 15 minutes prior to the start of the game (link will not be visible until then) 
 
Looking to bounce back from a setback against a potent third-ranked Kutztown squad last weekend, the IUP field hockey team is set for a pair of conference contests this week. Facing Mercyhurst for the second time, Wednesday's matchup will count towards the conference standings before the Crimson Hawks host ninth-ranked Bloomsburg at Miller Stadium on Saturday. 
 
Sophomore Jess Davidson ranks among the top 10 nationally in goals/game (3rd; 1.00) and points/game (8th; 2.00) entering the week for the Crimson Hawks. Davidson accounted for two of IUP's three goals in the first meeting with Mercyhurst, coming September 6 as part of a 3-1 victory against the Lakers. The Hawks have won six consecutive meetings with Mercyhurst and three of the last four matchups with Bloomsburg. 
 
Junior Anita Planella has been a steady presence in goal for IUP, starting in seven of eight games and logging over 400 minutes on the season. She's made 31 saves on the season, while Rory Cahill, Julia Barto and others have been strong defensively in stretches.
 
WOMEN'S SOCCER (3-3-2, 3-3-1 PSAC) 
Wednesday, October 4 
Vs. Gannon – South Campus Field – 4:00 p.m. – Live Stats – Live Video
 
Saturday, October 7 
vs. D'Youville – South Campus Field – Noon – Live Stats – Live Video
 
IUP women's soccer has consecutive home games this week, welcoming Gannon before closing the nonconference portion of the schedule against D'Youville. While IUP was dominant at times and built an early lead, the Crimson Hawks left Edinboro with a tough-luck draw last time out on September 29. 
 
For IUP, freshman Elle Smith and senior Hannah Scardina continue to guide the offensive attack with five goals each. Smith found the net twice last week, once in each contest, while assisting Scardina on the Hawks' opening tally against the Fighting Scots. The prolific duo enter the week tied for fourth in the PSAC in goals/game (.62).
 
Senior Julia Csernyik found the net for the first time as a Crimson Hawk last week, elevating for a header off a corner kick. Also stout defensively, Csenyik was tabbed as the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on October 2. 
 
Gannon enters the week second in the PSAC standings at 6-1 in the league, with its only loss coming to first-place Mercyhurst. Led by reigning PSAC West offensive Player of the Week Brooklyn Respecki, the Knights enter the week ninth nationally in scoring offense (2.89) and third nationally in shots on goal/game (11.67). 
 
M/W SWIMMING & DIVING
Friday, October 6 
Crimson/Gray Intrasquad Meet – Pidgeon Natatorium – 5:00 p.m. 
 
Continuing to gear up for the 2023-24 season opener on Wednesday, October 11, the IUP swimming program hosts an intrasquad event on October 6. Admission for the event is free; no live video or results will be published for this event.
 
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL (13-5, 3-1 PSAC) 
Friday, October 6 
at Gannon – 7:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats
 
Saturday, October 7 
at Edinboro – Noon – Live Video – Live Stats
 
After playing 14 out of a possible 15 sets of volleyball in a short span last week, IUP hits the road for two matches in Erie this week. The tough stretch continues for IUP on Friday a Gannon team with an identical 3-1 conference record. For both teams IUP and Gannon, the only loss came to Clarion in tightly contested matches. 
 
IUP rattled off a five-set win against Pitt-Johnstown on September 30 at the KCAC before dispatching Wheeling later in the day over four sets. Junior Nyla Birch was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week, registering 50 kills (3.57 kills/set) with 11 total blocks (10 block assists) and six digs over three matches. 
 
Senior Bailey Flowerdew surpassed 1,000 career digs for IUP against Pitt-Johnstown, one of several key contributors on defense and at the service line for head coach Lorelle Hoyer's squad. IUP continues to lead NCAA DII in total team blocks (190.0), led by senior Lauren Valentic, who paces the nation in total blocks (100). The Hawks are also fifth in NCAA DII in assists (781) and 10th in service aces (137). 
 
WOMEN'S TENNIS 
October 7-9 
at PSAC Individual Championships – Bloomsburg, Pa. 
 
Bringing momentum into the penultimate event of the fall season, IUP women's tennis heads to Bloomsburg for a third time in a month for the 2023 PSAC Individual Championships. The three-day event begins on Saturday, October 7 and concludes on Monday, October 9 at the Burt Reese Tennis Center. 
 
IUP won 14 total matches across a busy two-day stretch at its fall invitational held last weekend. The Hawks impressed across the board, with the doubles pairing of Ming Deewajee and Dani Ramos knocking off Mercyhurst in a rematch of the ITA Atlantic Region Doubles Final. Deewajee, Lina Teleshun and Hannah Beitat all won singles contests on October 1 against Division I competition from Morgan State. 
 
M/W CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday, October 7 
at Bloomsburg Invitational – 10:00 a.m. (W) – 11:00 a.m. (M) – Live Results
 
Saturday, October 7 
at Lewis Crossover Invitational – 10:45 a.m. EST (W) - 11:30 a.m. EST (M)
 
After competing in one of the largest races in the country last weekend at the Paul Short Run, the IUP cross country teams are back in action on October 7. Both the men's and women's teams finished 22nd in their respective races. 
 
Joel Beckwith paced the IUP men's lineup, finishing 40th overall in 25:42.1. Mike Formica followed in the IUP lineup, recording 69th place in 25:59.0. For the Crimson Hawk women, Abby Douglas was the top finisher in 77th place (24:36.7). Lexi Lovrich followed for the IUP women's team with a 112th-place time of 25:07.1
 
FOOTBALL (3-2, 1-1 PSAC) 
Saturday, October 7 
vs. California (Pa.) – Homecoming/14th Annual Coal Bowl – Miller Stadium – 2:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats – Live Audio – Tickets
 
Looking to bounce back from a slow start and 42-21 loss against rival Slippery Rock last week, the IUP football team looks to turn the page against another top-level team in the division, hosting California (Pa.) for the 14th Annual Coal Bowl at Miller Stadium. 
 
A full comprehensive preview with game notes and other fan information will be posted to IUPAthletics.com later in the week.
 
IUP came away victorious in last year's Coal Bowl with a 22-21 triumph following a strange ending on a penalty and 10-second runoff with the Vulcans driving. Last week, Dayjure Stewart ran for 89 yards and a touchdown, while QB Karst Hunter added 88 yards on the ground with two rushing plunges into the end zone.