INDIANA, Pa. --- A highlight reel save proved to be a key play in an evenly-matched contest on Saturday afternoon, as the Golden Eagle soccer team played IUP to a 1-1 draw on the road.
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Alex Velez made the save of the game midway through the second half, doing everything she could to keep the contest knotted up at one goal apiece. The Crimson Hawks had been building to an attempt and in the 64
th minute saw their opportunity when Alayna Ryan crossed a pass to the left wing to Rachel Onderko. Onderko fired a shot-slash-pass toward the net where Cloe Thoericht got a foot on it but could not cleanly shoot it in.
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That split second was what Velez needed as she dove to her right to corral the ball, denying Thoericht and keeping the game tied up.
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The Golden Eagles struck first in the contest when
Jaci Bowser scored her team-leading third goal of the season, and second in as many games, late in the first half. With less than 20 minutes to go in the opening period,
Katelyn Shaffer threw in to
Taylor Serrano, who directed a shot toward the net while falling down. It appeared to be an easy save for goalkeeper Vanessa Berlin, but Bowser jumped in and re-directed the shot past her for the tally.
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The Crimson Hawks tied it up before the end of the first half, responding to Clarion's goal with one of their own. Hannah Scardina scored from the middle off a corner attempt, taking Aislinn Meaney's feed and putting it away in the 30
th minute.
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Clarion finished with five total shots, putting four on net, while IUP put five shots on Velez. The Crimson Hawks held a considerable advantage in corner kick opportunities, taking nine to the Golden Eagles' two.
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