MANSFIELD – Freshman
Christie Buyer quickly put Mansfield on the board in the opening minutes of the game, but IUP rallied for two goals to earn the 2-1 victory Tuesday afternoon at Karl Van Norman Field.
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The Mountaineers donned black jerseys with gold lettering for the game in honor of Child Cancer Awareness. The team will sell special t-shirts to raise funds for the cause this week at Manser Dining Hall on campus.
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Mansfield (1-5, 0-0) went on the attack early with
Larissa Motts putting a shot on goal in the second minute before a penalty corner was called in the Mounties' favor.
Amber Prince passed the ball into
Gabby Hieber who set up Buyer for a slap shot into the cage to give Mansfield the early advantage. The goal was the second of the season for Buyer who had three shots on goal in the game.
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The lead was short lived however, as IUP (4-2, 0-0 PSAC) leading goal scorer Selena West deflected an Ericka Griffith shot high over the keeper and into goal.
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Both teams had solid scoring opportunities but went into halftime locked at 1-1.
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Just two minutes into the second half, IUP had an excellent chance to take the lead when Matti Reightler put her shot past the keeper, but Mountaineer defender
Madison Wilinsky made an incredible diving defensive save, stopping the ball just inches from the goal line.
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IUP kept the pressure on and finally got the go-ahead goal in the 60
th minute on Reightler's assisted goal from Brianna Lubarsky.
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In the 62
nd minute, Wilinsky once again made a heads up play by preventing another goal to earn her second defensive save of the game.
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The Mountaineers pressed late in the game but could not find the equalizer before time expired.
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Four of Mansfield's eight shots went on goal and the Mounties totaled six penalty corners.
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Keeper
Laura Lawson was stellar in goal for Mansfield recording a season-best 16 saves in the game.
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The Mountaineers travel south to Limestone (S.C.) and Queens Charlotte (N.C.) for their final non-conference games of the season before entering PSAC action.
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