CLARION, Pa. – The IUP women's soccer team controlled much of Wednesday night's PSAC West matchup at Clarion, but a late Golden Eagle equalizer forced the Crimson Hawks to settle for a 1-1 draw at Memorial Stadium.
IUP entered the match fifth in the PSAC West standings with 17 points, while Clarion sat seventh with 12 as the Golden Eagles continued their push for a postseason spot.
The Crimson Hawks controlled possession throughout the opening half, generating five corner kicks in the first 10 minutes alone. IUP consistently pressured Clarion goalkeeper Sage Sherk, forcing her to make five saves on six first-half shots on goal.
Sophomore Zoe Ans-Bitchoka eventually broke through for the Crimson Hawks. Ans-Bitchoka fired a shot from just outside the box that was initially stopped by Sherk before deflecting off the goalkeeper and into the net to give IUP the lead.
The goal was Ans-Bitchoka's fourth of the season. She was a constant threat throughout the match, finishing with eight shots and putting five on goal.
Lauren Gunsett and Adi Myers were credited with assists on the goal. Gunsett's assist marked her first point of the season in just her second game back after undergoing knee surgery late last fall. Myers picked up her first assist of the season and third point.
The one-goal advantage held deep into the second half, putting IUP minutes away from securing three points on the road.
Clarion found the equalizer in the 88th minute when Samantha Gold scored her first goal of the season. Gold fired through traffic from just inside the box, beating IUP senior goalkeeper Kiley Hassinger to level the match.
Hassinger finished with two saves on three shots on goal in her second start of the season, with both starts coming in PSAC play.
The draw moves IUP to 18 points in the PSAC West standings, tied with Edinboro after the Fighting Scots defeated California (Pa.) on Wednesday. Edinboro moves ahead of IUP into fifth with six conference victories, while the Crimson Hawks sit sixth with five.
That sets up an important PSAC West matchup this weekend when IUP welcomes Edinboro. The contest will also serve as Senior Day for eight Crimson Hawks.
Clarion remains seventh in the PSAC West with 12 points, six behind IUP and Edinboro. The Golden Eagles close the regular season with matches against Pitt-Johnstown, Edinboro and Gannon.
