SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – No. 6 IUP field hockey continued its late-season surge Wednesday afternoon, scoring once in each of the final three quarters and shutting out No. 9 Slippery Rock, 3-0, at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
The Crimson Hawks earned their fourth consecutive victory and improved to 11-3 overall and 5-1 in PSAC play with another nationally ranked win.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Grace McGeehan broke through just before halftime. McGeehan scored her fifth goal of the season with four seconds remaining in the second quarter, finishing off an assist from Nina Stanich to send IUP into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
McGeehan was involved again in the third quarter, setting up senior Lauren Horning for her second goal of the season at the 38:48 mark to double the IUP advantage.
The Crimson Hawks put the game away late in the fourth when Kylee Hager found the cage with 1:16 remaining, giving IUP the 3-0 final.
McGeehan led the IUP attack with a goal and an assist while putting three of her team-high four shots on goal. Kasey Rieger and Hayven Mumma added three shots apiece, while Horning and Hager each put both of their attempts on goal.
Senior goalkeeper Celeste Pagliaroli turned away all four shots she faced to record the shutout. IUP limited Slippery Rock to just four shots on goal despite The Rock finishing with five penalty corners.
The Crimson Hawks held a 16-10 advantage in total shots and put 12 attempts on goal compared to four for Slippery Rock. The Rock goalkeeper Sam Black finished with nine saves.
The win marked IUP's third consecutive victory against a nationally ranked opponent after defeating No. 5 Bloomsburg and No. 5 West Chester during its current winning streak.
IUP now turns its attention to another nationally ranked matchup, facing No. 3 East Stroudsburg on Saturday.
