Kutztown (14-4-2 overall) is looking to earn its first NCAA women's soccer tournament victory in program history when it meets fifth-seeded Bloomsburg University (12-4-3) Friday afternoon at West Chester University's South Campus Field starting at noon. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and $2 for children between the ages of 2-12. An all-session pass will be $10 for adults and $7 for students.
The winner of this game advances to Sunday's second round where it will play top-seeded West Chester (17-1-2) starting at 12 p.m.
The Golden Bears know that this meeting will be entirely different than their 4-1 triumph over the Huskies at Keystone Field on Oct. 23. Kutztown used Carolynne Kahl's hat-trick to beat Bloomsburg for the third straight time. KU has had success against the Huskies recently. The Golden Bears are 11-1-2 against Bloomsburg since 2003.
Making their seventh appearance all-time, the Huskies are 2-6 in the NCAA Division II tournament. In its last appearance in 2008, Bloomsburg lost a 4-0 decision to Slippery Rock in the first round. Bloomsburg hasn't won a NCAA tournament game since it defeated Lock Haven, 2-0, in the 2000 first round.
This season has been full of many achievements. Kutztown reached its 200th win in program history and head coach Erik Burstein recorded his 50th career victory. Before KU's 1-0 loss to Cal in the PSAC semifinals last week, the Golden Bears enjoyed a nine-match unbeaten streak. Kutztown has been nationally-ranked for 18 straight weeks.
Four members of KU soccer team were selected to all-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) teams. Senior Chelsea Deeter, sophomore Stephanie Borland
, and junior Carolynne Kahl were named to the first team, while sophomore Crystal Zerbe was named to the third team..
The Golden Bears have recorded 11 shutouts and are one win from tying the program record for school wins in a season. All four of Kutztown's losses have been by one goal.
Goalie Casey Behrendt secures the defense of KU. Behrendt is ranked among the NCAA Division national leaders in two categories. She is fourth in save percentage (.912) and eighth in goals-against average (.424). Behrendt has recorded 52 saves.
Defensively the fantastic four consisting of Deeter, Kelly Bushe, Laura Hearn, and Kelly Rozembersky are the reason that KU's opponents have scored just 11 goals.
Offensively, Kutztown has 43 goals on the season. Kahl leads the Golden Bears with 12 goals and 26 points. Borland has eight goals, 24 points, and leads the team in assists with eight. KU's versatility has been on display with 11 different players with goals. Julia DiFerdinando has four goals and Sam Moyer, Morgan Muracco, Jen Pyne, and Megan Black all have netted three goals. Crystal Zerbe, Shannon Pennock, Katie Oliveri, Katie Sales, and Sarah Black have found their way to the goal and posted one goal each for Kutztown.
Five Huskies were named to All-PSAC team. Named second team were Kristine Preski Katie Walczuk, Natalie Adams, Tara Huber, and Frances Nicoletti.
Offensively, four players on the Bloomsburg roster have scored double digits in points in 2010. Walczuk, leads the team in scoring with 30 points on 13 goals and four assists. Second in points is Huber with 22 points on nine goals and four assists. Preski and Adams are tied for third with 11 points. Preski has five goals and an assist with Adams posting two goals and seven assists.
Defensively Preski, Ali McCrossin and Aimee Bux have played well in front of starting goalkeeper Frances Nicoletti, allowing 16 goals. Nicoletti is posting a goals-against-average of 0.83. She is 12-4-3 with 96 saves and eight shutouts. For her career, Nicoletti is fourth-best in program history with 14 shutouts.
“I think our team has the ability to step forward and continue playing to the best of our ability,” Pyne said. “We have a very talented bunch of girls and we can go as far as we want. You can always expect more out of our team, we are always pushing to exceed expectations and to accomplish much more.”
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