KUTZTOWN, Pa. — The Kutztown University women's field hockey team used a solid second half to top Merrimack College 7-4 at University Field on Saturday afternoon.
Junior Anne Waapu (Hastings, NEW ZEALAND/) (Hastings, NEW ZEALAND) started off the scoring for the Golden Bears (1-0) at the 19 minute mark of the first half. Waapu riffled a shot past the goalie off a penalty corner from Lauren Solley (Oley, PA/Olley Valley) (Oley/Oley Valley).
Waapu added another goal off of a penalty corner to tie the game 3-3 just before the end of the first half.
Solley gave KU the lead early in the second half, after her and Courtney Zook (Oley, PA/Olley Valley) (Oley/Oley Valley) shook the Warrior (0-1) defense with a perfectly executed give-and-go.
Freshman Jenna Gregory (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) made huge contributions in her first collegiate game of her career. Gregory had an assist on a first half goal by Brooke Mathews (Reedsville, PA/Indian Valley) (Reedsville/Indian Valley) and added two goals of her own in the second half.
Abbey Sheeler (Fleetwood, PA/Brandywine Heights) (Fleetwood/Brandywine Heights), who tied for the team lead in goals in 2008 with 14, netted her first goal of the season. Carrie Healey (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) ripped a shot off the goalies leg pads and Sheeler situated herself perfectly to put the rebound into the back of the cage.
Merrimack answered back with a goal of their own after each of the first two KU goals, and took a short lived 3-2 lead late in the first half. The KU defense proved too strong in the second half, allowing only a goal in the final minute of play.
Goalkeeper Abby Rhone (Chambersburg, PA/Chambersburg) (Chambersburg/Chambersburg) picked up the win in the cage with two saves and no goals allowed.
KU held a 23-13 advantage in shots and also corners at 14-7.
The Golden Bears will return to action when they host the Joshua W. Wesner Memorial Tournament on Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5.
