IUP Women’s lacrosse defeats Millersville, 11-10

IUP improved to 2-0 in PSAC play and 3-1 overall after beating Millersville in a tight contest, 11-10.

The win gives the Hawks their first 2-0 conference start since the 2007 season. It is also the first such start for IUP Head Coach Mindy Richmond, who is in her third year with the team.

"It feels great," Richmond said. "We've been working very hard for the past two years stepping up our game and putting that extra effort in during practice, and it is nice to see that motivation and focus with the players reflect the record."

The game seemed to be well in the Hawks' hands as they came out and fought their way to a 10-4 halftime lead.

"The girls played hard, the defense played well and we won some big draw controls," Richmond said.

The second half didn't start off too well for IUP as it let Millersville battle back into it.

"There were some questionable calls by the officials that seemed to set us back," Richmond said. "The girls were clearly upset and as a result Millersville was able to get a couple goals on us, but thankfully we were able to settle the girls and calm them down a little bit so we could finish out the game."

It must have been the right choice of words from Richmond to fire the girls up again, and with that and a little help from the defense as well as goaltender Kaitlin Sterling, IUP was able to hold off a final-minute charge by Millersville.

Leading the way in scoring for the Hawks was Becca Vogt, who continues to find the back of the net. Vogt had three goals, including the go-ahead goal late in the second half that ultimately sealed the victory. She also added two assists. Stephanie Bianco went on a frenzy of her own, adding three goals to the mix. Alexa Lodovici tallied two of her own. Colleen Berlin, Jessica Beck, and Beth Glasshagel rounded out the scoring for the Hawks with one goal a piece.

The Hawks have a busy weekend coming up, as they have two big PSAC games.

Friday the Hawks travel to Bloomsburg, game is set for 4 p.m. Following the game the Hawks head to East Stroudsburg for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday.