INDIANA, Pa. – IUP found the net once in each half and tilted the field in its favor for large chunks of the afternoon in a 2-1 victory against California (Pa.) on Wednesday afternoon at South Campus Field.
Julia Csernyik posted her first marker as a member of the Crimson Hawks just about seven minutes in before
Elle Smith notched her fourth goal of the season later in the 74th minute.
IUP (3-3-1, 3-3-0) held a slight 9-7 edge in shot attempts in a game where some quality chances went just wide or did not connect. Cal U (2-5-1, 1-4-1) got on the board in the 89th minute as Reagan Bromiley scored from a set piece along the right side of the field.
Vanessa Berlin made one save on the day, equaling the save output of Vulcan goalkeeper Emily Ouimet.
IUP converted early off a corner kick chance as Csernyik raced in for a head goal off a feed from
Avery Clanton.
Melody Leiva had great jump for IUP, creating chances into the second half while helping the Crimson Hawks tilt the field with a 1-0 lead.
Off a misplay from the Cal U goalkeeper, Smith was there in a pressing position to swipe the ball and finish with her left foot for a 2-0 lead. It marked the fourth goal of the season for Smith, tying her with
Hannah Scardina for the team lead.
The Vulcans eventually sliced the deficit to one on Bromiley's free kick tally. IUP worked in a variety of substitutions in keeping a methodical approach throughout the contest.
IUP has won five of the last seven meetings against the Vulcans since 2019.
Up Next
IUP visits Edinboro on Friday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
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For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.
