Golden Rams Head to IUP for PSAC Field Hockey Showdown

WEST CHESTER at IUP
Game Details: 6:30 PM. | Saturday, Oct. 19
Location: Indiana, Pa. | Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium
Game Links: Watch l Live Stats
 
GOLDEN RAMS HEAD TO IUP FOR PSAC BATTLE
•  West Chester (8-4, 2-2 PSAC) go on the road Saturday evening when the Golden Rams play IUP (4-7, 3-3) in Indiana, Pa. West Chester enters this matchup coming off a win at Millersville on Thursday. West Chester has already amassed eight wins so far, but hopes to improve its conference record. IUP comes into Saturdays contest off a 3-1 victory at Frostburg State. They look to get their fifth victory and fourth conference win this season.

• IUP defeated Frostburg State 3-1 in their previous game. The game was tied 1-1 at the end of the first, but IUP scored in the second and fourth quarters to put the game away on the road. Fifth-year senior Cassie Romanczuk had two goals and freshman Nora Kirkwood had another. Junior Aubree Dorsey and junior Jess Davidson were credited with assists.
• IUP will be coming off four days of rest, while West Chester has had only two days to prepare. This will be IUP's second home game in its last seven contests, while this will be West Chesters second game in a row on the road.

 
PLAYOFF PICTURE TAKING SHAPE
• West Chester will have five games left to play after their duel with IUP, which will provide a great opportunity to solidify their playoff standing. In their last four games, West Chester will face a gauntlet of four straight PSAC opponents. IUP's already strong conference record could give them an edge come playoff time, but need to win a majority of their remaining games to have a chance at the playoffs. IUP will play two more consecutive PSAC contests after this game, finishing the regular season against highly ranked East Stroudsburg. With two games left in the regular season, the conference playoff picture is starting to take shape. West Chester sits at #3 in the rankings, having defeated #5 Frostburg State and #4 New Haven. West Chester will most likely land where they currently are, but a massive win against #2 Davenport would raise them in the standings.
• West Chester is looking to rise up to #2 in the standings, putting them just below American Internation College who they fell to earlier this season. West Chester will battle Division 1 opponent Mount St. Marys at home on November 2nd to close out their regular season.  Davenport is hoping a win will grant them the top seed in the NIRA with only one game left to play. They stand with a record of 2-1-1, with their only defeat being at the hands of Army. Davenport will face off against #1 American International on October 26th in the regular season finale.
• Both teams have found different ways to be competitive. West Chester has had dominating wins against Frostburg State and Kutztown, but also gritty victories against Navy and New Haven. Davenport was able to come back against a Divison 1 opponent to tie with 41 apiece, and beat Navy 82-11 in Annapolis. This will only be the second time this season has gone on the road, with all but one of their contests being played at home.
• Davenport has only played 3 true contests this season as their game against New Haven was forfeited. Davenport will hope to put their talent on display on the road against a tough West Chester team, while West Chester will hope to notch their win total up to 5 against a premiere opponent.
 
WEST CHESTER vs. IUP – THE ALL-TIME SERIES
• West Chester holds a 19-2 mark against IUP in the all-time series. West Chester has had its number, with at one point having a nine-game win streak against IUP. The Golden Rams hold a 7-1 away record against IUP, meaning this will be familiar territory. IUP has beaten West Chester recently, however, winning 2-1 in West Chester during the 2023 season. Their only other victory against West Chester aside from that dates back to a 3-2 double overtime thrilling win at home in 2016.
 
WEST CHESTER VS IUP SEP 22
• In their previous matchup earlier this season, West Chester defeated IUP at home 4-1. West Chester went down 0-1 in the first quarter but rallied with four straight goals for a comfortable victory. For West Chester, Veerle Hersman, Paige Wolf, Caitlynn Szarko, and Ella Shockley put up one goal apiece, with Jasmine Miller and Gianna Funari being credited with assists. For IUP, Lilly Fringer scored her second goal of the season for their lone score. West Chester played an efficient game, scoring four goals on five shots on goal, and played strong defense