INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP women's soccer team used a pair of first-half goals and a six-save performance from senior goalkeeper Kiley Hassinger to secure a 2-1 Senior Day victory over Edinboro on Saturday at South Campus Field.
The Crimson Hawks improved to 6-4-4 overall and 6-4-3 in PSAC play with the victory, picking up three important points in the PSAC West standings.
Senior Avery Clanton opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, finding the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career. Senior Paige Fausey provided the assist to give IUP the early advantage.
IUP doubled its lead just before halftime. Ayla Cook scored her second goal of the season in the 43rd minute, with Fausey once again providing the assist. The two assists marked a multi-point performance for the senior defender as the Crimson Hawks carried a 2-0 advantage into the break.
Edinboro increased the pressure in the second half, putting six shots on goal over the final 45 minutes. Hassinger turned away five of those attempts to protect the IUP advantage.
The Fighting Scots eventually broke through in the 85th minute when Claire Cacurak scored to cut IUP's advantage to 2-1, but the Crimson Hawks held on over the final minutes to secure the victory.
IUP finished with a 13-11 advantage in total shots, while Edinboro held a 7-5 edge in shots on goal. Both teams generated three corner kicks. Clanton paced the Crimson Hawks with four shots, while Zoe Ans-Bitchoka recorded three and Fausey and Cook added two apiece.
Hassinger played all 90 minutes in goal, making six saves to earn the victory.
The win avenged IUP's 1-0 loss at Edinboro earlier this season and gave the Crimson Hawks their sixth conference victory of the year.
