Emily Thomas, Sarah Daw Help IUP Defeat Slippery Rock in PSAC Semifinal Contest

For the second time in as many postseason games, Emily Thomas provided the only goal of the game, finding the net with 18:48 left in the first half to give IUP a 1-0 victory over host Slippery Rock in a PSAC semifinal contest Friday afternoon.

The win puts IUP (18-3) into the conference championship game for the first time since the Indians won the league title in 1995 by defeating Bloomsburg, 1-0.  Since then, IUP has played in the PSAC tournament only once, losing in the semifinals to Lock Haven in 2001. 

IUP will play at home on Sunday at 1:00 against Kutztown, which posted a 4-3 win over Bloomsburg in the other semifinal game.  Ticket prices, established by the PSAC office, are $7 for adults and $2 for students.

Slippery Rock, ranked third in the Northeast Region and 10th in the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association poll, fell to 13-3-2.  IUP won two of three from The Rock this season.

Sarah Daw preserved the shutout for IUP, making a total of 10 saves, including six in the second half as the Indians held on to their narrow lead.  Slippery Rock held a 17-6 advantage in shots but could not slip one past Daw.

The 10 saves gives Daw a total of 348 in her career, moving her past Kristen Bardes (1995-97) for the top spot in IUP history.  The Indians, who extended their school record for wins in a season, posted their seventh shutout of the season.

Karrie Riggins was credited with two saves for Slippery Rock.

Kutztown (14-4-2) registered its first-ever PSAC postseason win and tied its school record for wins in its victory over Bloomsburg.  The Golden Bears enter the championship game ranked sixth in the Northeast Region.