INDIANA, Pa. – A fast start in each half pushed the IUP women's soccer program to its first victory of the season with a 3-2 triumph against Pitt-Johnstown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action on Wednesday at South Campus Field.
IUP (1-1-1, 1-1-0) once again started first-year midfielders across the board and put together a complete effort across the board in holding on for the win. Freshman
Elle Smith moved into a tie for third in the conference in goals with two more markers on Wednesday, both coming in the first half.
Meanwhile, senior
Kristen Finnerty dealt out a goal and assist for the Crimson Hawks. IUP was particularly strong off the corner kick, posting a marker in each half off looping balls into the box. Meanwhile, Pitt-Johnstown (0-4-1, 0-3-0) did not go quietly, responding with tallies in the 21st and 68th minutes.
Senior
Vanessa Berlin notched two high-quality saves as IUP clamped down on the defensive end over the final few minutes. The Hawks held a 14-8 edge in shots, dictating play early and often on the way to a quick 2-0 edge.
Smith opened the scoring in the seventh minute of the game, slotting home a feed from Finerty off a long run up the right side for a 1-0 lead. Smith helped IUP double its lead off a corner ball from freshman
Emma Hays, tucking the ball inside the back left post in the 20th minute.
Haley Neidig raced to play a slick feed from Lydia Roman, slicing the UPJ deficit in half at 2-1 in the 21st minute. Smith had two more chances in the first half for IUP, finishing the day with seven shot attempts.
IUP wasted little time opening the scoring in the second half as Finnerty deflected a corner ball from senior
Rachel Kalkbrenner in the 48th minute.
IUP had a pair of solid chances in short order a few minutes later, including a Smith shot that rocketed off the right post and into the waiting arms of UPJ goalie Megan Geisey in the 62nd minute.
UPJ eventually trimmed its deficit to one goal again, this time on a scramble from Lydia Roman, who finished a free kick from Haley Neidig in the 68th minute. From there, IUP worked to hold possession and limit UPJ scoring chances, eventually closing out the conference victory.
Hays recorded her first collegiate point with her assist on IUP's second goal of the night. Another freshman,
Melody Leiva, had several quality runs with the ball off the bench, logging two shot attempt.
Up Next
IUP visits Slippery Rock for a PSAC contest on Saturday, September 16 at noon.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.
