WEST CHESTER, PA. (November 6, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team used a late unassisted goal by Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Annville/Annville-Cleona) and another inspired defensive effort to take down California (PA) 1-0 on Friday afternoon in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference semifinals. The win will send the Golden Bears to the PSAC finals against West Chester. (BOXSCORE)
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| Chelsea Bressler scored the games lone goal. |
Despite being outshot 12-4 overall, and 8-0 in the first half, the only shot that mattered came off of Bressler's foot at the 66 minute and 30 second mark.
Sarah Black (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) (Hershey/Lower Dauphin) shook one defender and dumped a pass off to Bressler. Bressler beat one defender and shot across the front of the cage and into the right corner for the only goal of the contest.
"Our girls played an amazing game, they really deserved to win it," said coach Erik Burstein. "Our defense makes us really tough to beat and our offense found its moment."
The Golden Bear defense was as dominant as it has been all season. Following the goal by Bressler, the KU defense allowed only one shot in the remaining 23:30. The PSAC West No. 1 seed Vulcans were unable to get a clean shot off all game with the suffocating defense of Chelsea Deeter (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) (Langhorne/ Neshaminy), Kelly Bushe (Neptune City, N.J./Neptune) (Neptune City, N.J./Neptune), Kelly Rozembersky (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury), Laura Hearn (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) and BrieAnn Shipkowski (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) (Manheim/ Manheim Central).
Goalkeeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) made seven saves, five in the first half and two in the second half, to record her 13th shutout of the season. The Golden Bears earned their 15th win of the season, setting a new school record.
Hackelberg made a diving save late in the first half to keep the match even at zero.
"For me, as a freshman, this is an amazing feat to get to the conference championships," said Hackelberg. "It has been a goal of mine and the team's since the start of the season."
"No words can describe how great this feels," said Deeter. "It hasn't sunk in yet, after that amazing game we just had. It doesn't feel real."
The Golden Bears will take on host West Chester on Saturday at 11 a.m.
--KU--