INDIANA, Pa. – The Crimson Hawks of IUP  snapped a 1-1 tie late in the first half and went on from there to defeat the Mercyhurst University women's field hockey team 3-1 Wednesday afternoon at George P. Miller Stadium. IUP improved to 7-10 overall and to 4-6 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Lakers' third straight loss dropped their records to identical 7-10 and 4-6 marks.

The Crimson Hawks got on the board first at 12:07 when freshman Selena West scored during a goal-mouth scramble in front of Lakers' senior netminder Kirsten Rambo (0-1), who was making her first start of the season. Mercyhurst retaliated seven minutes later when sophomore Taylor Balser recorded her fifth of the year. With Mercyhurst having been awarded a corner, Balser accepted senior Andrea Goldbach's pass and lobbed a shot over IUP freshman goalie Olivia Accardi. IUP scored again before intermission (28:25) when junior Amber Bailey scored off a Crimson Hawks' corner.

IUP outshot Mercyhurst 8-3 in the first half – each team had three shots-on-goal – and had four of the seven first half corners.

Senior Sam Takac replaced Rambo in the Mercyhurst goal to start the second half. But the Lakers' offense remained quiet and IUP freshman Matti Reightler put the game away with her sixth of the season at 67:11.

The Crimson Hawks had more shots (13-7), more shots on goal (7-6), and more corners (8-7).  Balser's marker was the first Mercyhurst goal in the last three contests. Rambo was credited with one save in the first 35 minutes while Takac recorded three in the second half. Accardi (5-9) stopped five Mercyhurst shots.

Mercyhurst will end the regular season Saturday, October 31, when it entertains Limestone at 9 a.m. at Tullio Field