KUTZTOWN, Pa. (September 19, 2009) - The Kutztown University field hockey team got back on the winning track with a 4-3 win against Mansfield on Saturday at University Field. Carrie Healey (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) knocked in the game winner with 2:20 remaining in the first overtime. 

"It was a huge win for us today, coming off of back-to-back losses," said Healey. "It wasn't our best performance, but a win is a win. Hopefully we will be in tip-top shape from this point on."

Healey unloading the game winner against Mansfield

Healey received a pass beyond the arc from Julie Rosenkaimer (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) (Lansdale/North Penn) while running a 2-on-1 against a Mountaineers defender to set up the clinching goal.

"We were on a fast break and Julie got me the ball. I thought if I could draw the goalie out I could find the back corner. And that is how it worked out then," said Healey with a smile.

The Golden Bears (6-2) nearly found themselves on the losing end in the overtime, but junior Katie Brautigan (Bernville, PA/Tulpehocken) (Bernville/Tulpehocken) made two clutch defensive saves. The first came on a shot off a rebound after goalkeeper Emily Falko (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) (Catasauqua/Catasauqua) made a save. Brautigan's second save was a diving effort that kept the ball out of the cage and actually cleared it from the MU attack.

Falko made 10 saves on the day, with her biggest one coming with 48 seconds remaining in regulation.

After Mansfield was awarded a penalty stroke, Falko lined up one-on-one and read the shot perfectly, stopping it with her right leg pad and keeping the Golden Bears winning hopes alive.

Falko made numerous game saving plays throughout overtime by coming out of cage and clearing the ball before the offense could set up a play in front of her.

KU used three-straight goals in the first half to build a 3-1 half time cushion. Jenna Gregory (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) knocked in the first goal off a pass from Courtney Zook (Oley, PA/Olley Valley) (Oley/Oley Valley). Gregory shook a defender in front of the cage for another goal.

Lauren Solley (Oley, PA/Olley Valley) (Oley/Oley Valley) capped off the first half scoring by putting a rebound into the left corner of the cage.

Despite being outshot 15-6 in the second half, the Mountaineers fought back with two goals to force the overtime session. The Golden Bears also held a 26-5 advantage in penalty corners, however neither team was able to convert any into goals.

The Golden Bears will travel to Millersville on Tuesday for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division contest. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

--KU--