WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The IUP field hockey team played its way back into the PSAC playoffs for the first time since 2023 and will face West Chester in the first round.

The Crimson Hawks defeated the Golden Rams in West Chester for just the second time in program history on Saturday, led by two second-half goals from Jess Davidson.

IUP will look to build on its strong defense, which has allowed just 16 goals this season behind junior goalkeeper Celeste Pagliaroli. The 16 goals are the fourth fewest in the PSAC. Davidson's 11 goals in 15 games this year rank eighth in the conference.

West Chester features one of the league's top scorers in Veerle Hersman, who has netted 15 goals in 17 games. The Golden Rams have surrendered the fifth-most goals in the PSAC—double the number allowed by the Crimson Hawks.

Pagliaroli and West Chester goalkeeper Audra Szymborski rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in the conference in goals allowed. However, there's a notable gap between Pagliaroli's 16 goals allowed and Szymborski's 28.

The teams will meet Tuesday, with the opening faceoff set for 4 p.m. at Vonnie Gros Field in West Chester.