KUTZTOWN, PA. (November 4, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team will play California (Pa.) University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) semifinal match Friday, November 6 at 1:30 p.m. at West Chester University.
The other semifinal matches Indiana (Pa.) University against host West Chester starting at 11 a.m. The two winners will advance to Saturday's PSAC title match, also at West Chester. The championship tilt will kick off at 11 a.m.
This will be the first meeting between California (16-4-1 overall) and Kutztown (14-4-2) since the Golden Bears claimed a 3-0 decision during the 2007 season. Kutztown is 8-3-2 all-time against California (Pa.), which is ranked 16th in the latest NSCAA poll. The Golden Bears have won four straight over the Vulcans, including the last three by shutout.
If Kutztown wins, it will advance to its third PSAC title game in program history and its first since 2005. The Golden Bears lost in the title contest in 2004 and 2005. Meanwhile, California (Pa.) is making its first trip to the PSAC semifinals in program history.
Both teams are nationally ranked and closely bunched together in the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings. Cal enters with the higher rankings. The Vulcans are ranked 16th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25 and second in the NCAA Atlantic region. Meanwhile, the Golden Bears are ranked 24th in the NSCAA poll and third in the Atlantic region.
The winner of this match could have the inside track on potentially hosting a first and second round Atlantic region matchup on campus, which begins Friday November 13. The NCAA selections will be announced Monday November 9 at 7 p.m.
However, before the NCAA pairings are released, Cal and Kutztown will get together in what could be an exciting contest. Kutztown defeated East Stroudsburg, 4-1, and California (Pa.) beat Gannon, 2-0, in a quarterfinal matches Tuesday afternoon.
Kutztown has been paced this season by the stellar defensive quartet of junior Chelsea Deeter (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) (Langhorne/Neshaminy), freshman Kelly Rozembersky (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury), junior Kelly Bushe (Neptune City, N.J./Neptune) (Neptune City, NJ/Neptune) and BrieAnn Shipkowski (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) (Manheim/Manheim Central) and the strong goalkeeping of freshman Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, NJ/Randolph).
Together, they have helped Kutztown tie a school record for wins in a season and establish a program mark for shutouts in a season with 12. Against ESU, the combination of Deeter, Rozembersky, Bushe and Shipkowski combined to score five of KU's eight points.
Offensively, Kutztown has been paced by a balanced attack in which 13 different players have scored at least one goals. Sophomore forward Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Annville/Annville-Cleona) leads the Golden Bears with nine goals and 22 points. Freshman forward Molly Cooper (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) (Palmyra/Palmyra) has scored seven goals and sophomore midfielder Shannon Pennock (Mansfield, N.J./Northern Burlington) (Mansfield, NJ/North Burlington) has added six goals.
The Vulcans' top player is Amanda Heister. As Cal won its first regular season PSAC West title in program history, Heister broke the school record for career goals (42) and tied the mark for career points (103). She is a three-time all PSAC West selection Heister leads the PSAC in points per game (2.00), goals (17), goals per game (0.89).
Carina Honeygosky leads Cal with nine assists and she is second in the PSAC in assists per game (0.50). Sam Regney has provided some offensive punch to the Cal attack by scoring eight goals and handing out six assists for a total of 22 points. The Vulcans have 11 players who have scored at least two goals this season.
Cal enters the game with 11 shutouts. The Vulcans have not allowed a goal in their last three matches. Both teams have played seven common opponents this season (Davis & Elkins, Bloomsburg, Charleston, Mercyhurst, Clarion, Shippensburg and Wheeling-Jesuit). The Golden Bears are 6-1-1 against this group while the Vulcans are 7-2. Since suffering consecutive defeats at the end of September, California has won eight of its last 10 matches.
Tickets to the PSAC semifinals will be sold at the gate. No advance sale of tickets is available. Prices are $7 for adults and $2 for students/children. Free admission is available to students from PSAC member institutions with valid school I.D. Conference passes will be accepted. No complimentary tickets are available.
Parking will be available in John A. Farrell Stadium's Q-Lot across the street from the soccer fields on South Campus. There will be no parking at the soccer field for the exception of handicapped parking, game officials, tournament personnel and league and school administrators.
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