IUP Defeats New Haven for First Ever NCAA Tournament Victory

Boxscore

IUP won an NCAA tournament game for the first time in school history on Friday, defeating New Haven by a score of 3-1 in the opening round of the Northeast Regional at West Chester.

IUP (15-6) advances to play West Chester on Sunday at noon in a rematch of the PSAC championship game last Sunday.  The Golden Rams remained undefeated at 21-0 with a 4-0 win over Slippery Rock in the other first round game.

IUP's only other NCAA tournament game came in 2004, a 2-0 loss to Adelphi.  Friday's game was the first ever meeting in women's soccer between IUP and New Haven.

Shana Speese broke a 1-1 deadlock with her seventh goal of the season with 31:25 left in the game, just 2:35 after New Haven tied the contest. 

IUP added an insurance goal with 18:10 remaining when PSAC West Athlete of the Year Sarah Romasco tallied her team-leading 21st goal of the year.

Brittany Pikur assisted on both goals and also found the net herself for the 10th time this year with 4:31 left in the first half, assisted by Crystal Heder, to give IUP a 1-0 lead at intermission.  Selina Moylan evened the score for New Haven with 11 minutes expired in the second half.

The Chargers finished the season with a record of 12-5-4.  

Becky Dillard preserved the win by making seven saves in goal for IUP.  Maureen MacConnell made four saves for New Haven.

IUP will be hoping that the fourth time will be the charm against West Chester.  The Golden Rams posted a 2-1 win in the PSAC championship game after recording regular season victories of 3-1 and 2-1.

The winner of the IUP-West Chester game will host an NCAA quarterfinal game on November 11 against the winner of the New England Regional.

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