KUTZTOWN, PA (October 31, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team closed out the regular season with a thrilling 1-0 win over Bloomsburg in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division contest on Saturday afternoon. The 13th win put the No. 14 ranked Golden Bears one away from tying the school record.
With each team running on fumes after 84-plus minutes of scoreless soccer, coach Erik Burstein went to his bench and put in the fresh legs of Emily Froehlich (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) (Perkasie/Pennridge). The move paid off big time and instantly.
A mere 54 seconds after checking in, Froehlich took a pass from the baseline by Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Cleona/Annville-Cleona) and beat the keeper into the left corner of the goal.
"It was a play that we had been practicing," said Froehlich. "Getting to the baseline and creating scoring opportunities. It paid off for us today."
"The goal we scored was absolutely wonderful," Burstein said. "Great effort from Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) to get end line and a delicate tap-in finish from Emily Froehlich (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) at the near post...great stuff!"
The Golden Bears (13-4-2, 8-3-1 PSAC East) outshot the Huskies 9-2 in the first half, but neither team had anything to show for it. The second half advantage was in Bloomsburg's advantage until Froehlich's late heroics.
The KU defense kept up its suffocating defense, collecting the 12th shutout of the season. Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) made two saves, both in the second half.
"I am thrilled with the way we played today," said Burstein. "We defended brilliantly, especially on set pieces, and we competed for the entire 90 minutes grabbing a goal at the death."
Playing in her last regular-season game for the Golden Bears, Raven Chiara (Jamesburg,N.J./ Monroe Township) was honored before the game for senior day.
Following the game, an emotional Chiara had a huge smile.
"Today was unbelievable, it had an electric atmosphere around it," said Chiara. "I love this team and am so glad that we could pull out a win today. They gave me the senior day that I always dreamed of."
"Winning on senior day, especially this year, was an absolute must for us," said Burstein. "Raven deserved nothing but a winning result in her final regular season game at KU and that is exactly what she got."
The win gave KU some momentum heading into the PSAC playoffs which begin on Tuesday at Keystone Field.
"This was exactly what we needed to do heading into playoffs," added Chiara. "This is where we want to be. I've never played in a home playoff game at KU, its going to a fun experience."
"I hope this win will give the girls a bit of momentum as we prepare to play on Tuesday," said Burstein. "As long as we continue to compete, I am confident we will continue achieving great things with this group."
The Golden Bears will host the first round of the PSAC playoffs on Tuesday November 3rd.
--KU--
