PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 6, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team blanked its fourth consecutive opponent and stretched its winning streak to five matches with an impressive 3-0 victory over Philadelphia University Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference match.
Kutztown (9-2-1 overall) got goals from freshman Molly Cooper (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) (Palmyra/Palmyra), freshman Stephanie Barnett (Blandon, PA/Fleetwood) (Blandon/Fleetwood) and sophomore Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Cleona/Annville-Cleona) to defeat its fifth regionally-ranked opponent of the season and begin its five-match road trip with a bang.
The Golden Bears are ranked 18th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top 25 poll and second in the Atlantic region. Philadelphia (8-2-3) entered the game ranked eighth in the East Region and with a 10-match unbeaten streak.
Kutztown freshman keeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) finished with five saves for her sixth shutout of the season. The Kutztown defense has not allowed a goal in 390 minutes. Bloomsburg was the last team to score against Kutztown back on Sept. 19 in the 60th minute of a 2-1 KU win.
Cooper got KU scoring started in the 12th minute when she found the back of the net. The Golden Bears carried their slim, 1-0 advantage into intermission. Three minutes into the second half , Barnett doubled Kutztown's lead with a header. Senior Raven Chiara (Jamesburg, N.J./Monroe Township) (Jamesburg, NJ/Monroe Township) was credited with the assist on Barnett's goal. Junior Jen Pyne (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) (Wall Township, NJ/Wall) also turned in a quality effort during the game, setting up scoring opportunities.
Bressler added an insurance tally with 12 minutes remaining. It was the third consecutive match in which Bressler has scored for Kutztown. She has scored at least one goal in five of Kutztown's last six matches. Bressler leads Kutztown with seven goals and 16 points. She is one of three players with at least double digit points. Sophomore Shannon Pennock (Mansfield, N.J./Northern Burlington) (Mansfield, NJ/North Burlington) has six goals and 14 points and Cooper has five goals and one assist.
Overall, Kutztown has received goals from 13 different players and at least one point from 16 players.
Defensively, the dominant quartet of junior Chelsea Deeter (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) (Langhorne/Neshaminy), junior Kelly Bushe (Neptune City, N.J./Neptune) (Neptune City, NJ/Neptune), freshman Kelly Rozembersky (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) (Roxbury, NJ/Roxbury) and freshman BrieAnn Shipkowski (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) (Manheim/Manheim Central) have been stellar in front of Hackelberg throughout the season.
Their effort in the back has enabled Kutztown to limit the opposition to seven or fewer shots in three of its last five matches. Deeter and Bushe have been solid as centerbacks. Rozembersky and Shipkowski have performed well as outside backs. Kutztown outshot the host Rams, 16-7.
Kutztown's next match is at Clarion University Saturday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.
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