INDIANA, Pa. – The No. 23 IUP women's soccer program will host Slippery Rock in the first round of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament, Tuesday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m.
What: PSAC Quarterfinals
Where: South Campus Field | Indiana, Pa.
When: Tuesday, November 12 at 1:00 p.m.
Live Video: PSAC Digital Network
Live Stats: Live Stats
In-Game Updates: X (Twitter)
Ticket Information
Tickets: IUP vs. Slippery Rock |
PSAC Championship Tickets |
PSAC Tournament Central
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children K-12, and students with a valid PSAC member institution ID card will receive free admission.
The Last Time
The IUP women's soccer program will make their PSAC tournament return for the first time since 2019 when the team competed at Slippery Rock and dropped 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Throughout program history, IUP has totaled 16 PSAC tournament appearances.
The last time IUP advanced to the PSAC Championship was in 1995 and 2004. In 2004, the team defeated Lock Haven 1-0, Slippery Rock 1-0, and Kutztown 3-2 to win the PSAC Championship. In 1995, the team beat Bloomsburg 1-0 to be crowned the PSAC Champions, in their second season since becoming a program.
About IUP
IUP enters the playoff week ranked 23rd nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, with updated rankings released Wednesday, November 13.
IUP is third in the NCAA Atlantic Region behind Gannon and Shepherd, with Slippery Rock closing the rankings in ninth place. The final set of numerical rankings will be released on Tuesday, November 12, the last set before the selection show.
The Crimson Hawks have had a standout season, scoring 29 goals while conceding just eight. They have recorded 10 shutouts, including three draws. IUP ranks 19th nationally in Division II for best scoring defense.
Graduate student Hannah Scardina leads the team with 10 goals and four assists, including five game-winning scores. Other key contributors include sophomore Elle Smith, who has four goals and five assists, sophomore Emily Mannion with four goals, and graduate Kristen Finnerty, who has netted three goals and added one assist.
In goal, senior Makenna Yarrow has started all 16 matches, making 63 saves and posting a .887 save percentage, ranking second in the PSAC for saves and 24th nationally.
"We are very excited for the players to make the postseason as that was the team goal from the beginning. They have continued to work so hard all season. We know Slippery Rock has a lot of experience in postseason play, and this is the first with this group but we do not fear anybody and this team has shown what they are capable of", said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "Defensively we are quite resilient but we also know that we have enough quality in the attack and we have shown all year that we can score goals."
About Slippery Rock
Tuesday marks Slippery Rock's 33rd all-time and 14th consecutive PSAC Tournament appearance. Last season, Slippery Rock secured a playoff spot but was defeated by Gannon 4-2 in the quarterfinals. Their last PSAC Championship win came in 2019 when they defeated Edinboro, picking up their fourth title in program history.
They are on a two-game winning streak, having won three of their last four matches. During this stretch, the Rock has scored seven goals while conceding just two.
History
This marks the 48th time in series history that IUP and Slippery Rock will meet. Slippery Rock holds the slight edge with a 24-18-5 record, although the Crimson Hawks hold the home advantage of 12-10-2.
The Crimson Hawks won 3-0 on September 21 in their first meeting with Slippery Rock during the 2024 season .
Hannah Scardina scored twice and
Kristen Finnerty added a goal. The teams tied their second matchup on October 19, 0-0.
IUP head coach
Noreen Herlihy previously coached at Slippery Rock for 20 years. During her tenure, she guided Slippery Rock to three PSAC tournament titles (2003, 2005, 2012), nine NCAA tournament berths, three regional championship game appearances, and an Atlantic Region title in 2013.
Around the League
IUP (11-1-4, 9-1-4) is the second seed in the PSAC West hosting third seed Slippery Rock (8-5-4, 8-3-3).
No.4 (E) Bloomsburg at No.1 (E) Shepherd (1:00 p.m.)
No.3 (W) Slippery Rock at No.2 (W) IUP (1:00 p.m.)
No.3 (E) Kutztown at No.2 (E) West Chester (1:00 p.m.)
No.4 (W) Pitt-Johnston at No.1 (W) Gannon (4:00 p.m.)
Potential Future Opponents
If the Crimson Hawks emerge victorious on Tuesday, they will face the winner between No.1 Shepherd and No.4 Bloomsburg. The semifinals and championship will be hosted at the highest remaining west seed site Friday (Nov.15) and Sunday (Nov. 17).
In celebration of IUP Women's Soccer 11 wins this season the IUP Co-Op Bookstore will be offering an additional 11% off discount tomorrow only. There will be a stand set up outside of the main gates at South Campus Field, selling apparel.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPathletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.
