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Anthony Shingler/IUP Sports Information

Field Hockey Ryan Rebholz, Sports Information Director

Straining’s Penalty Shot, Varacallo’s Save Lead IUP to Thrilling 1-0 Win over Slippery Rock in PSAC Quarterfinals

Brittany Varacallo's penalty shot save clinched the victory for IUP
Box Score

INDIANA, PA – Alicia Straining (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) connected on a penalty shot in the 51st minute while IUP goalie Brittany Varacallo (New Britain/Central Bucks South) saved one of her own with no time on the clock as the Crimson Hawks defeated Slippery Rock in thrilling fashion 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Field Hockey Tournament.

Straining's penalty shot bounced in past Slippery Rock goalie Courtney Lee, providing the first excitement in what would be an exhilarating final 20 minutes of play.

The Crimson Hawks, the No. 2 seed in the PSAC West, would keep control of the ball for the most part down the stretch, putting three more shots on goal in the final 10 minutes. Lee came up with save after save for The Rock, the No. 3 seed, keeping the score at 1-0.

As IUP tried to play keep away heading into the final 45 seconds of action, a good defensive play by Slippery Rock near midfield started a fast break down the left flank as time would wind down. Ally Banks had a good look at the cage as her shot with three seconds bounced off the pads of Varacallo, seemingly ending the game. However, Banks was awarded a penalty shot with no time left on the clock as Varacallo again came up huge with the save.

The win advances IUP to the semifinals on Friday, as the Crimson Hawks take on PSAC East No. 1 seed West Chester. East No. 3 seed Millersville will take on West No. 1 Shippensburg in the other semifinal game on Friday, with West Chester as the host site.

The Crimson Hawks (14-4) held the edge in shots at 13-6, with the IUP defense holding Slippery Rock (8-10) without a shot in the second half until those final three seconds of play. IUP also held the advantage in corners at 7-4.

Lee saved eight shots in goal for Slippery Rock while Varacallo had those two huge saves at the end. Starting and playing the first half in the cage for IUP was Sarah Lemieux (Dublin, OH/Dublin Coffman), who notched three saves.

Game time for Friday is set for 6:00 p.m. at West Chester.  


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