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CALIFORNIA (Nov. 2) – Behind goals by senior Sam Regney (Monaca, Pa./Monaca) and sophomore Carley Work (Hopewell, Pa./Hopewell), the No. 11 California University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team posted a 2-0 victory over IUP on Tuesday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament at Roadman Park.

With the win, the second-seeded Vulcans improve to 17-1-1 overall and will face third-seeded Kutztown () in the semifinals of the PSAC Tournament on Friday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m. in West Chester, Pa. During the regular season, Cal U earned a 1-0 overtime victory against Kutztown after the two teams split a pair of games in the post-season last year. The Vulcans also extended their unbeaten streak against the Crimson Hawks to five games (4-0-1), streak that dates back to the 2008 season. Meanwhile, IUP finishes the season with a 9-8-1 overall record.

"It's always important to score the first goal, especially in a game like this that you know is going to be tight against a good team," said fourth-year head coach Al Alvine, who has guided the Vulcans to their first two trips to the post-season. "The first goal we knew would be critical, but just as critical was the second goal."

Cal U had several quality scoring opportunities early in the game. Freshman Bethany Smyda (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) beat three defenders on a sprint to the net before her shot attempt sailed past the top left corner of the goal in the 18th minute. Junior Sara Di Benedetto (Maple, Ontario/St. Elizabeth Catholic) nearly broke the scoreless tie at the 28:25-mark before her direct kick from the top of the box went over the net. The Vulcans tallied the first goal of the game in the 30th minute when Regney scored her eighth goal of the season off an assist from junior Erin Feltz (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley). Regney now ranks sixth all-time in school history with 23 goals, breaking a tie with Rianna Coleman (1999-02). The Vulcans looked to add to their lead in the final seconds before halftime when junior Kristen Orrett (Pickering, Ontario/Pickering) crossed to Feltz, but IUP goalkeeper Kelly Brennan made the save. In the first period, the Vulcans controlled the pace of the game by out-shooting the Crimson Hawks, 9-3.

After the break, Cal U scored on its third shot attempt of the second period when Work collected her sixth goal of the season at the 48:25-mark after a deflection and assist from junior Darija Davidson (Courtice, Ontario/St. Stephen's). The Vulcans nearly added to their lead 10 minutes later when a shot attempt by Smyda on a two-on-two break was stopped by Brennan. The Crimson Hawks' best scoring opportunity in the second period came at the 78:45-mark when a shot attempt by Lindsay Lobevero hit the crossbar and deflected out of play. The Vulcans countered with a close scoring opportunity of their own when freshman Tonya Fabian (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) hit the post on an open net because Brennan collided with Smyda in transition.

Junior goalkeeper Paula Jackson (Kingston, Jamaica/Wolmer's Trust) collected her 11th shutout of the season after making one save in 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Brennan finished with eight saves in the loss while facing 23 shots.

For the game, the Vulcans held a sizeable 23-8 advantage in shots and also maintained a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

In rematch of last year's PSAC Semifinals, Cal U will face Kutztown on Friday, Nov. 6. The Golden Bears advanced to the game with a 4-1 victory over Edinboro behind a hat trick by sophomore Stephanie Borland. Last season, Kutztown posted a 1-0 victory in the PSAC Tournament before Cal U claimed a 3-1 win during the NCAA Tournament.

"Every game with Kutztown has been very tight," said Alvine. "They are a great team with some special players and their coach does a great job."