INDIANA, Pa. – IUP held a one-goal lead for much of the day but was unable to close out a conference victory against Slippery Rock, falling 2-1 in a Senior Day matchup at a windy and rainy South Campus Field on Saturday.
Hannah Scardina capitalized early for IUP (4-7-3, 3-7-2), finishing off a cross from
Taylor Serrano in the 16th minute. Slippery Rock (10-3-2, 9-2-2) began to tilt the field in its favor into the second half, finding the net twice in the 75th and 90th minutes.
Needing only a draw to clinch a postseason berth, Slippery Rock broke through for the game-winner from Libby Zacharyasz with just 34 seconds remaining.
Scardina posted her seventh goal of the season for IUP, leading the squad with four shots. IUP came out with good energy on Saturday and received a masterful performance from
Vanessa Berlin, registering eight saves for the Crimson Hawks.
Slippery Rock did not have many looks of quality until the second half, pushing the pace before eventually converting down the stretch.
Scardina raced in for a chance for IUP in the 87th minute, while Berlin made a leaping save in the 88th minute on Morgan Sarver to keep the score knotted at one. Berlin timed her jump and punched the ball aside, one of several strong stops between the pipes for the Crimson Hawks.
After tying the game in the 75th minute, Zacharyasz tucked a corner feed from Sydney Patrick into the left post.
IUP had one final push in the waning seconds in the attacking box, but could not turn a look from the endline toward goal as time expired.
Slippery Rock clinched its 13th consecutive postseason appearance with the regulation win on Saturday, while IUP slips to seventh in the conference standings, one game out of fifth and a potential playoff berth.
Up Next
IUP hosts Seton Hill on Wednesday, October 25 for a 4:00 p.m. start from South Campus Field.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.
