KUTZTOWN, PA. (November 15, 2009) – Years from now when members of the Kutztown University women's soccer team gather for reunions, look through scrapbooks and share stories, it will be proud of all of the accomplishments during an unforgettable season of highlights and magical moments. (BOXSCORE)
Although Kutztown saw its memorable season end with a 3-1 defeat to California (Pa.) in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region second round at Keystone Field Sunday afternoon, third-year coach Erik Burstein believes this defeat could be the start of something special in the future.
“It's disappointing with the season being over, but there is excitement about what the future holds,” Burstein said. “We were excited to reach the NCAA tournament and host a regional. There were a lot of positives this season.”
Kutztown finished its season with a 15-6-2 record. Meanwhile, California (18-5-1) rode a strong start into Friday's Atlantic Regional final against Indiana (Pa.), a 1-0 winner over West Chester, at a site and time to be determined.
The Vulcans put Kutztown in a quick 1-0 hole when Sam Regney scored off of a pass from Emily Feltz six minutes into the game. The Vulcans doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Feltz scored off of an assist from Kayla Franske. CalU added a goal in the 64th minute to give it a 3-0 edge when Franske found the back of the net.
Despite the large deficit, Kutztown continued to battle and display heart. The Golden Bears put together a few flurries late in the game. The hard work paid off when sophomore Emily Froehlich (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) (Perkasie/Pennridge) headed a ball into the net in the 75th minute for what turned out to be the Golden Bears' only goal.
After Froehlich's goal, Kutztown continued to swarm the net like bees. Attacking and fighting with fury as time on the clock melted away, the Golden Bears kept believing that they would get the necessary goals to advance. Freshmen Stephanie Barnett (Blandon, PA/Fleetwood) (Blandon/Fleetwood) and Molly Cooper (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) (Palmyra/Palmyra) created plenty of havoc near the front of the net.
Sophomore Shannon Pennock (Mansfield, N.J./Northern Burlington) (Mansfield, NJ/North Burlington) raced through the midfield like a sprinter to set up scoring chances for her team. Kutztown was not ready for its season to end. Freshmen Julia DiFerdinando (Chadds Ford, PA/Garnet Valley) (Chadds Ford/Garnet Valley) and Sarah Black (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) (Hershey/Lower Dauphin) continued to fight for every loose ball in the middle of the field. Freshman keeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) had five saves.
Almost every player who participated for the Golden Bears had a mixture of green grass stain streaks and brown dirt clusters on their white uniforms.
Juniors Chelsea Deeter (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) (Neshaminy/Langhorne), Jen Tice (Barnegat, N.J./Southern Regional) (Barnegat, NJ/Southern Regional), Jen Pyne (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) (Wall Township, NJ/Wall) and Kelly Bushe (Neptune City, N.J./Neptune) (Neptune City, NJ/Neptune) battled through adversity. Freshmen Kelly Rozembersky (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) (Roxbury, NJ/Roxbury), Morgan Muracco (Washington Township, N.J./Paul VI) (Sewell, NJ/Paul IV), Julie Phegley (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central), Julia DiFerdinando (Chadds Ford, PA/Garnet Valley) (Chadds Ford/Garnet Valley) and Brie Ann Shipkowski (Manheim/Manheim Central) and sophomore Laura Hearn (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) (Wall, NJ/St. Rose) gained valuable experience which should help the Golden Bears become a stronger team.
“We picked up our intensity late in the game and fought to the end,” Froehlich said. “We definitely wanted more this year but we know we accomplished a lot. I am excited for next season because we believe we can do better and our goals are much higher.”
The Golden Bears were picked to finish fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division preseason poll. Kutztown did much better. The Golden Bears set a school record for wins (15) and shutouts in a season (13), finished second in the PSAC East regular season and was PSAC tournament runner-up.
With 14 freshmen at the start of the season, Burstein and his staff did a terrific job of blending everybody together like a delicious tropical-flavored smoothie. Kutztown was nationally ranked in nine of the 11 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) polls. Kutztown peaked at No. 9 on Sept. 15, the highest in program history.
“We worked hard for everything this year,” sophomore forward Chelsea Bressler (Cleona, PA/Annville-Cleona) said. “We're always hungry for more and we don't want to settle. Every goal we set this year, we accomplished and now we want to make it further next year.”
For now, Kutztown will have to take solace in the fact that it raised the bar of women's soccer excellence. This was the eighth consecutive season in which the Golden Bears won at least 10 matches. A sturdy foundation was already in place. This group of players has deepened those footsteps.
“I am very proud of everything we accomplished this season,” Burstein said. “Now the key for us is to continue to get better. Today, we lost to a good team and one that's well coached. Cal was the better team today, but I believe brighter days are ahead and this is just the beginning.”
--KU--
