BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The No. 4-ranked Bloomsburg field hockey team picked up its eighth shutout of the season by defeating IUP, 1-0, in an action-packed Homecoming game on Saturday afternoon.
 
Aydan McFarland (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg Area) served as the lone goalscorer, notching her 18th of the season to give Bloomsburg its 11th victory of the season.
 
Bloomsburg (11-3, 3-2 PSAC) had its first chance of the contest just 20 seconds in, with a shot attempt from Bella Culp (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) getting blocked by IUP (2-7, 1-3) on the game's first corner.
 
N either program recorded a shot for the next seven minutes until Genna Bush (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs) made a diving shot attempt which was saved by the Crimson Hawks' Anita Planella. The Huskies fired three more shots in the opening frame, with just one being on target.
 
IUP recorded its first shot on goal in the beginning of the second quarter as Jackie Nevel (Nescopeck, Pa./Berwick Area) kicked away a try from Jess Davidson. A late rush from the Huskies saw McFarland register two shots in the final five minutes of the half. Planella turned one of the shots aside as the teams entered halftime tied, 0-0.
 
The Crimson Hawks turned the pressure around in the second half as they held Bloomsburg to just two shots. IUP nearly broke the deadlock late in the quarter after firing three shots across four penalty corners in the final two minutes.
 
McFarland got the maroon and gold on the board two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth, receiving a pass from Bella Culp (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) on the right side before firing a shot into the left side of the cage. The goal ended up being the seniors fourth game-winner of the year.
 
A pair of yellow cards put the Huskies on their heels as they had to defend a pair of corners while down two players but were able to withstand the pressure. The Crimson Hawks surged late in the contest after pulling their goalie, earning a penalty as time expired. A shot from Mia Gerick went wide off the corner as Bloomsburg held on for the 1-0 victory.
 
The Huskies finished the contest with 12 shots and five shots on goal while holding IUP to nine shots and two shots on goal.
 
Bloomsburg will travel to No. 3-ranked East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, October 16 for a 3 p.m. contest at Whitenight Field.