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| Steph Barnett scored a goal for KU in the PSAC finals. |
WEST CHESTER, PA. (November 7, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team was unable to come back from a late deficit, falling 2-1 to West Chester in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship. (Boxscore)
West Chester earned its third PSAC title in four years and Kutztown finished second for the third time since 2004.
Heading into the contest it was clear that a defensive battle would be held, after West Chester allowed only three goals the entire season and KU surrendered only 11. The first half kept true to that with a 0-0 deadlock that consisted of only nine combined shots.
The scoreless play remained midway through the second half until Lara Bodenstab found the back of the net. Five minutes later Sarah Oswald gave the Golden Rams a 2-0 advantage, both goals were assisted by Jen Gangl.
The always resilient Golden Bears refused to go silently, as Stephanie Barnett (Blandon, PA/Fleetwood) (Blandon/ Fleetwood) put a rebound in the net to cut the lead in half. The goal, however, came a little too late at the 88 minute, 47 second mark.
Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) (Cleona/Annville-Cleona), who has been the offensive spark all season, led the Golden Bears with four shots on goal. Bressler gave KU one final scoring effort in the final seconds, but keeper Lyndsie Bernadini made a diving save to secure the victory.
"I am so happy with the way our girls competed today," said coach Erik Burstein. "Last time we came to West Chester we failed to compete and never really gave them a game, but not today."
Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, N.J./Randolph), along with her defensive backs, kept the potent West Chester offense in check with six saves.
The defensive line 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) have made scoring a chore for opposing offenses all season, and today was no different.
"At the end of the day we lost the game, but not due to effort, attitude or willingness to compete," said Burstein.
The Golden Bears will await the NCAA Championship selection, which will take place on Monday, in hopes of extending an already successful season. The 2009 Golden Bears have the school-record for most wins (15) and shutouts (13).
"I do want to thank all the fans for their support this weekend and I want to congratulate the wonderful young ladies on this team for a memorable season. I am extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them everyday and I am so proud of the way they represent our university. They are truly first class," Burstein said.
--KU--
