BLOOMSBURG, PA (September 19, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team rediscovered its winning formula by defeating Bloomsburg University 2-1 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East match Saturday afternoon.
The victory was fourth-year head coach Erik Burstein's 50th career triumph in charge of the Golden Bears (5-2-1 overall, 3-1-1 PSAC East). Under Burstein's leadership, Kutztown has developed into a national power. Currently, Kutztown is ranked ninth in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25 and first in the Atlantic Region.
While the rankings and attention are nice, it meant nothing as Kutztown just wanted to put the brakes on a two-match losing streak. Consider it done as the Golden Bears struck early and held off a late Husky rally.
“This was an important result for us,” Burstein said. “We really need to earn as many points as possible from the first leg of conference games and winning away from home is always a challenge in the PSAC. This is a great result and I am thrilled we are back to our winning ways.”
Kutztown got goals from junior Kelly Bushe (Neptune City, N.J./Neptune) (Neptune City, NJ/Neptune) and sophomore Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Cleona/Annville-Cleona) to take a 2-0 halftime lead. Freshman Molly Cooper (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) (Palmyra/Palmyra) assisted on Bressler's goal. Freshman keeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) made three saves for the Golden Bears. Bushe and Bressler scored 10 minutes apart late in the first half. Bushe scored her goal in the 31st minute and Bressler found the net eight minutes later.
Bloomsburg's Samantha Fox scored in the 59th minute to slice Kutztown's lead in half.
“The first half was a pretty solid effort from the girls and we were pleased to take a 2-0 advantage into halftime,” Burstein said. “In the early stages of second half we created some excellent chances off some very creative combination play and really should have put the game out of reach.”
Kutztown returns to action Tuesday afternoon when it hosts Millersville University at Keystone Field beginning at 3 p.m.
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