Lock Haven Rallies for Important PSAC West Win over IUP

Lock Haven scored four unanswered goals to overcome a 3-0 deficit and hand IUP a 4-3 double overtime loss in an important PSAC West contest Wednesday afternoon.

The defeat dropped IUP into third place in the PSAC West standings.  With a record of 6-3 in the division, the Indians have 19 points, one fewer than Slippery Rock and Lock Haven.

IUP (14-3, 6-3 PSAC West) has already clinched a berth in the PSAC playoffs but may have damaged its opportunity to host at least a first round game.

The loss was the first at home after nine wins this season for IUP and gave Lock Haven (9-6-2, 6-1-1 PSAC West) a sweep of the two games this season.  The Lady Eagles won by a score of 1-0 on October 3.

IUP got first half goals from Crystal Heder and Erin Falce to take a 2-0 lead into intermission.  The Indians built their advantage to a seemingly comfortable three-goal margin when Falce fed Shelley Queiser for a score just two minutes into the second half.

Falce took over sole possession of the top spot in IUP history in points with 97, breaking a tie with Amy Peterson, and pulled to within one of Peterson's career total of 42 goals.

But Lock Haven stormed back with three goals in the final 37 minutes of regulation, all by Brooke Rangi off the Lady Eagle bench. 

After scoring an unassisted goal at the 53 minute mark, Rangi was assisted by Holly Homsher with nine minutes left to pull Lock Haven to within 3-2 and again with just three minutes remaining to tie the game and force overtime.

The teams played a scoreless first extra session before Homsher tallied the game-winner off an assist by Danielle Smith with four minutes gone in the second overtime.

Becky Dillard went the distance in goal for IUP and made 15 saves.  Heather Ireland was relieved after allowed three goals and making four saves in 71 minutes, and Emily Wagner shut out IUP the rest of the way, registering six saves.

IUP wraps up its PSAC West schedule at home against Clarion next Tuesday at 3:00.  Unless the Indians finish first in the West and earn a first round bye, they will begin play in the PSAC playoffs on November 2. 

Final seedings and tournament pairings will be determined after the games next week.