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EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The 19th-ranked Kutztown University women's soccer team battled the third-ranked East Stroudsburg Warriors for a full 90 minutes in Saturday night's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship game from ESU's Eiler-Martin Stadium. The home team capitalized on an opportunity in the 78th minute to score the game's only goal and claim the program's third title in school history.
 
This is the fifth time in the past 11 years that Kutztown has been the PSAC Runners-Up, and the third time in head coach Erik Burstein's eight-year tenure at the helm of the program.
 
Sophomore Shea Neal of East Stroudsburg (20-1) scored the game-winner to earn the Championship's Most Valuable Player honor. The Warriors counter attacked through an open midfield to work their way into the Kutztown (15-5) zone. Neal received the ball at her feet after a deflection inside the box and slotted it past the keeper from inside the 12-yard line.
 
ESU has extended its winning streak to 20 straight games, and has not lost since the season opener when Kutztown blanked them 1-0.
 
KU goalkeeper Deanna Messner (Willow Grove, Pa./Archbishop Wood) recorded three saves in the defeat and the freshman's play was crucial in keeping her team alive. ESU put Messner to the test right from the get-go and Messner responded, punching out corners and intercepting dangerous crosses for the full 90 minutes.
 
Center back Morgan Staley (Landenberg, Pa./Kennett) created the best first-half opportunity for the Golden Bears in the 39th minute. Staley launched a rocket from 40 yards out that would have topped the goalie if Jess Hetrick had not made a last-second punch to deflect the shot over the crossbar.
 
In the second half, Alaina Curry (York, Pa./Dallastown Area) subbed in on the left side and quickly had her chance, but her header off of a Mariah Dimm (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) corner kick went just high.
 
Dana Wong (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) hit a remarkable shot from 20 yards out in the 74th minute that made the stadium holds its breath, but it ricocheted off of the bottom of the crossbar and was cleared out by the defense before the Maroon and Gold could knock it in.
 
Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) led the team with four shots and three shots-on-goal, but struggled to find open looks due to tight pressure and double teams.
 
Kutztown now waits to hear its fate in the Atlantic Regional tournament. The official NCAA Tournament pairings will be announced on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. on NCAA.com. The top six teams make it in to the tournament and KU was ranked fourth in the final poll of the season.