MANSFIELD, PA (September 30, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team scored twice during a 36-second stretch of the first half and used that as a springboard to claim a 3-0 victory over host Mansfield University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division match Wednesday afternoon.
The Golden Bears (7-2-1 overall, 5-1-1 PSAC East) are ranked 24th in the latest National Soccer Coaches' Association of America Top 25 poll. It was Kutztown's second victory over Mansfield (3-6-1, 1-4-1) this season. Junior Kelly Bushe (Neptune City, N.J./Neptune) (Neptune City, NJ/Neptune) scored a goal and had an assist to lead the Kutztown offense. Freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) recorded her fourth shutout with five saves.
The first half offensive fireworks were provided by sophomore Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Cleona/Annville-Cleona) and junior Jen Pyne (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) (Wall Township, NJ/Wall). Bressler started the scoring with a hard shot from 12 yards out with five minutes, 49 seconds remaining in the first half. Before fans had an opportunity to settle in their seats after Bressler's goal, Pyne headed the ball home off of a Bushe assist with 5:13 remaining.
Kutztown's defense took over in the second half. Kutztown received strong defensive contributions from freshmen BrieAnn Shipkowski (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) (Manheim/Manheim Central) and Kelly Rozembersky (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) (Roxbury, NJ/Roxbury).
Bushe applied the finishing touch to the Golden Bears' third consecutive victory after beating a defender and scoring with three minutes remaining.
Cortney Spertzel led the Mountaineers with three shots on goal.
Kutztown returns home to meet Davis & Elkins Saturday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. in a battle of teams ranked in the weekly Atlantic Region poll. The Golden Bears are third in the Atlantic Region poll and the Senators are fifth. Mansfield's next match is Saturday afternoon when it hosts West Chester University at 1:30 p.m.
