INDIANA, Pa. – IUP field hockey has climbed to No. 5 in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II national rankings, marking its highest ranking of the season and one of its highest positions in recent program history as the Crimson Hawks enter the final week of the regular season.

The Crimson Hawks went 1-1 last week, holding both opponents scoreless through regulation. IUP opened the week with a 3-0 victory over No. 9 Slippery Rock before falling to No. 3 East Stroudsburg in a shootout following 80 minutes of scoreless action.

Despite the setback, IUP continued its strong run against nationally ranked competition, having won three consecutive matchups against ranked opponents before Saturday's shootout loss.

The Crimson Hawks will close the regular season with a pair of home contests, beginning Tuesday against Frostburg State before welcoming No. 2 Shippensburg to Miller Stadium on Friday at 3 p.m.

Friday's matchup will provide IUP with an opportunity to avenge an earlier loss to the Raiders. The Crimson Hawks pushed Shippensburg to double overtime in their previous meeting before surrendering the deciding goal with approximately 30 seconds remaining, narrowly missing an opportunity to send the contest to a shootout.

In addition to their rise in the NFHCA national poll, the Crimson Hawks sit No. 6 nationally in the latest NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings. The Atlantic Region continues to dominate the national landscape, with programs from the region occupying each of the top seven positions in the NPI rankings.

With two regular-season contests remaining, IUP will look to carry its national momentum into the postseason while strengthening its position among the top teams in Division II.