KUTZTOWN, Pa. — The Kutztown University women's soccer team did not allow Shippensburg University a goal all game. Unfortunately for the Golden Bears, they too were not able to score a goal, thus ending the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division contest in a scoreless tie.
Each team was a little sluggish in the first half, with Golden Bears outshooting the Lady Raiders 5-3. The second half saw KU holding a 7-1 shot advantage, but only one shot on goal recorded by the Golden Bears.
The excitement level rose in the first overtime when defensive stalwart Chelsea Deeter (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) (Langhorne/Neshaminy) was the last line of defensive after the ball snuck past Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, N.J./Randolph). With two Lady Raiders alone in the box, Deeter swooped in to poke the ball away and knock it out of the box to save the Golden Bears.
Hackelberg earned her second career shutout after saving all three shots the Lady Raiders (0-3-1, 0-1-1 PSAC East) were able to get off against the tough KU defense.
The Golden Bears remained unbeaten with the help from the suffocating defense of BrieAnn Shipkowski (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) (Manheim/Manheim Central), Kelly Rozembersky (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury), Laura Hearn (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) and Deeter.
The Golden Bears, whose record goes to 3-0-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the PSAC East, moved to No. 24 in the national rankings and third in the Atlantic Region.
KU again gave Shippensburg a scare in the second overtime when Molly Cooper (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) (Palmyra/Palmyra) dribbled through the defense and after shaking two defenders with nifty footwork, unleashed a shot toward the left corner. Shippensburg goalkeeper Beth Long, with her arms outstretched, made a diving save to preserve the shutout.
In regulation, the Golden Bears narrowly missed on a few scoring opportunities. Jen Pyne (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) (Wall, N.J./Wall) on two occasions flopped a ball over the goalies head, but just kept carrying and went over the goal.
After just checking into the game in the first half, Emily Froehlich (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) (Perkasie/Pennridge) created an open look and riffled a shot that landed into the hands of the perfectly positioned goalkeeper.
"I was really impressed with our overall effort, but we have goals to work toward and we need to sharpen up a few things before we can win games like this," said coach Erik Burstein. "Had we taken care of a few details, we would have earned the result we wanted. Take absolutely nothing away from our effort today, but if we can put forth the same effort, while taking care of the details, we will be a very difficult team to beat."
Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Cleona/Annville-Cleona), Julia DiFerdinando (Chadds Ford, PA/Garnet Valley) (Chadds Ford/Garnet Valley) and Cooper used their speed and footwork all day, but the Lady Raider defense kept providing enough pressure to make the stop.
KU will travel for a PSAC East contest at East Stroudsburg on Saturday at 2 p.m.
