INDIANA, Pa. – IUP heartbroken after a late double overtime goal by Slippery Rock, concluding their 2024 PSAC Championship Tournament run at South Campus Field, Tuesday afternoon.
 
IUP returned to postseason play for the first time since 2019, led by a new group of student-athletes. Their run was cut short, although this achievement marks a promising future for the program.
 
IUP ended the PSAC season with a 11-2-4 overall record and 9-1-4 in the PSAC West. 
 
Both teams were in full force this afternoon after registering numerous shots on goal. IUP recorded 17 shots with 10 being on goal and Slippery Rock managed 24 shots, with 12 being on target.
 
Hannah Scardina was the standout performer for IUP, taking seven shots on goal, four of which were on target. Elle Smith was close behind with three shots on goal, while Julia Csernyik, Ayla Ward, and Emily Mannion also contributed offensively. In goal, Makenna Yarrow made an impressive 10 saves on 12 shots faced.
 
IUP took the lead early in the match when Scardina made a strong run down the field. She initially passed the ball to Elle Smith for a shot, but the attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper, giving Scardina a clear opportunity to follow up and score. She recorded the goal at the 31:53 mark in the first half.
 
Slippery Rock came out aggressively in the second half, putting pressure on IUP goalkeeper Yarrow with five shots in the first five minutes. After two more attempts, Nina King capitalized on a second-chance free kick at 64:19 to level the score.
 
Despite several close chances from both teams, including a few key shots from Scardina and Csernyik, neither side could find the back of the net in regulation, forcing overtime.
 
As the first overtime began, Ayla Ward took a shot at 92:02 that was saved. Makenna Yarrow responded with a save of her own at 97:00, and then at 98:24, Scardina took a final shot that veered left of the goal.
 
With just two minutes remaining in the second overtime, IUP was awarded a corner kick, giving them one final chance to take the lead. However, Mannion's shot sailed high, and Slippery Rock quickly transitioned the ball down the field, intercepting a pass and scoring the game-winning goal just before the clock ran out.
 
Up Next
IUP is optimistic for the NCAA Tournament Selection show that will be occurring Monday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m.
 
Follow 
For up-to-date information, visit IUPathletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.