IUP Athletics Preview: October 30-November 5, 2023 - Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics (2024)

Athletics 10/31/2023 1:34:00 PM Josh Hill, Director of Strategic Communications and Ideation

INDIANA, Pa. -- Here's an overview of the week ahead for IUP Athletics.

Full Composite Schedule|Live Coverage

FIELD HOCKEY (8-7)
Tuesday, October 31
at (6) Kutztown – 3:30 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats – Tournament Central

IUP field hockey is set for its second postseason appearance since 2016 on Tuesday, visiting Kutztown for a 3:30 p.m. start in the PSAC Quarterfinals. With seeding not decided until the final day of the regular season, IUP got into the conference tournament with a 4-5 mark in league play. The Hawks earned the final spot ahead of perennial power West Chester with a head-to-head victory against the Golden Rams back in mid-October, advancing to the postseason via tiebreaker.

Jess Davidson has built off an outstanding first season with the Crimson Hawks as a sophom*ore in 2023. The sophom*ore has 11 goals and four game-winners in 2023, accounting for 55% of the team's goal output with the squad continually searching for a secondary source of scoring. See the full game preview here.

WOMEN'S SOCCER (5-8-3, 4-8-2 PSAC)
Tuesday, October 31
at California (Pa.) – 6:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats

Friday, November 3
at Gannon – 3:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats

IUP women's soccer is set for the final week of the 2023 regular season, hitting the road for matchups at California (Pa.) (October 31) and Gannon (November 3). Entering the week two points out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the PSAC West, this week provides two key conference contests for the Crimson Hawks.

Hannah Scardina helped lead a second half rally for IUP with two assists and the game-winning goal last time out against Edinboro on October 28. Named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week, Scardina leads IUP in scoring with nine goals and two assists. Vanessa Berlin has been solid in goal for IUP, surpassing 100 career saves after matching a season-high eight stops against the Fighting Scots.

Seton Hill enters the final week of the regular season occupying the fourth and final playoff spot in the division, with Edinboro (15), IUP (14), Pitt-Johnstown (13) and Clarion (12) all still mathematically in position for the playoffs.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL (19-7, 9-3 PSAC)
Friday, November 3
vs. Edinboro – KCAC – Senior Night – 6:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats

Saturday, November 4
vs. Gannon – KCAC – Black Out Game – 3:00 p.m. – Live Video – Live Stats

IUP women's volleyball finishes out the home portion of the 2023 regular season slate this week, hosting Edinboro for Senor Night on November 3 and Gannon the following afternoon on November 4. The Hawks are picking up steam at the right time, winning six matches in a row after a sweep of Pitt-Johnstown.

IUP picked up a 3-2 win at Clarion on October 24, using a stout effort at the net to close out the comeback victory. The Hawks will celebrate Senior Day following the match against Edinboro on Friday night.

The Hawks have hit their stride in the latter half of the season, beginning to gel as a group with a lot of new additions to the lineup in 2023. IUP continues to lead the nation in total team blocks (281.0), also leading the conference in team kills (1,196), opponent hitting percentage (.123) and blocks/set (2.78). Bailey Flowerdew enters the match four aces shy of 100 for her career, while IUP has three of the top six players in the conference in total blocks in Lauren Valentic (142), Caroline Walsh (107) and Nyla Birch (89).

M/W SWIMMING & DIVING
Saturday, November 4
vs. Washington & Jefferson – Pidgeon Natatorium – 10:30 a.m. – Live Video

IUP is back in action for its 2023 home opener, welcoming Washington & Jefferson for a dual meet on November 4, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Hawks have been idle since a busy start to the season in mid-October, facing Shippensburg before hosting the PSAC Fall Frenzy on October 13.

Both the IUP men and women posted a top-three finish in 14 events each during the event at Carlisle, led by three wins on the day from Athanasios Diamantidis. FreshmanTina Cudinawon a pair of individual events in the 50 free (24.89) and 100 free (54.93), also part of the winning 200 medley relay (1:50.18). Sophom*oreAvital Flaishmanadded first-place showings in the 200 free (2:00.82) and 500 free (5:28.44) in the opener against Shippensburg.

M/W CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday, November 4
at NCAA Atlantic Region Championships – 10:30 a.m. (W); 11:45 a.m. (M) – Live Video – Live Results – Championship Central

IUP is back at Lock Haven's West Branch XC Course for the second consecutive week, this time competing in the 2023 NCAA DII Atlantic Regionals on Saturday. The 8K women's race begins at 10:30 a.m. with the 10K men's race following around 11:30 a.m.

For qualification to nationals, the top three men's and women's teams at regionals will receive automatic bids. Additionally, the top five finishers or top two not on a qualifying team receive automatic bids. Matching its best finish since the 2017 season, IUP was third overall on the men's side at the 2023 PSAC Championships behind Shippensburg and Slippery Rock. The Crimson Hawk women posted 15th in the team standings at the PSAC Championships, held October 21.

Most recently, IUP sent a portion of the lineup to the Go-Fast River Run at Lock Haven on October 28.

FOOTBALL (4-5, 2-4 PSAC)
Saturday, November 4
at Clarion – Noon – Live Video – Live Stats – Live Audio

Coming off consecutive losses, IUP closes out the 2023 season with a pair of road games, beginning on Saturday for a noon kickoff at Clarion. IUP needs a victory in each of the last two games to ensure a winning season.

The Hawks dropped another heartbreaker last week, falling 16-15 to Gannon on Senior Day at Miller Stadium after the Golden Knights' booted home a game-winning 51-yard field goal that bounced off the right upright for a new Miller Stadium record. A full comprehensive preview with game notes and other fan information will be posted to IUPAthletics.com later in the week.

Drew DiNunzio-Biss led a strong defensive effort for IUP with 14 total tackles, adding 2.0 TFLs, one sack and a pass breakup. Overall, the Crimson Hawks limited Gannon to just one touchdown on the day, forcing two turnovers and adding a safety.