KUTZTOWN, PA (September 30, 2009) – There is no question that the jump from high school to collegiate sports is a difficult challenge. Some athletes adapt faster. For proof just watch Jenna Gregory (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) of the Kutztown University field hockey team fly up-and-down the field.

Freshman sensation Jenna Gregory (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg)

Gregory has been one of the top scorers for the Golden Bears and among the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). In her freshman campaign, Gregory has scored eight goals, including two game winners, in 10 games.

Gregory is tied for sixth in the PSAC in goals scored, while teammate Lauren Solley (Oley, PA/Olley Valley) is tied for fourth (10 goals). In Division II, the pair rank among the top in goals per game average. Solley is second (1.11) and Gregory is 13th (.80), which is highest among freshmen.

“I was a little nervous and didn't know what to expect playing at this level,” said Gregory. “I knew it would be more intense and challenging. I just needed to work hard to play at that high level.”

Gregory came highly recommended to coach Betty Wesner by former KU assistant coach Carrie Saul, Gregory's high school coach.

“Coach Saul was very familiar with our program and what we were about,” said Wesner. “She knew that Jenna would fit our program perfectly.”

Much of Gregory's early success comes from ability to burn past her defenders with her speed. She finds herself a little too fast for stick handling to keep up, but she has improved that from the beginning of the season.

“My speed has definitely done a lot for me,” said Gregory. “It is one of my strongest attributes and has gotten me on fast breaks and get through the defense.”

Wesner has been a big fan of the speed Gregory brings to the Golden Bears.

“Her speed has been a breath of fresh air, just a welcome addition to our offense.”

Gregory helped Kutztown break a 39-match losing streak to Bloomsburg during its 2-1, win on Sept. 7. It was a streak that started in 1983. Although it was the freshman's first encounter with PSAC powerhouse and three-time reigning NCAA Division II champion Bloomsburg, she knew about the rivalry and the significance of the triumph.

“I knew Bloomsburg was the team to beat when I came to school,” said Gregory. “Once I stepped onto the field I felt the intensity by seeing the fire in the eyes of the upperclassmen.”

The Golden Bears will have their hands full this weekend when Bloomsburg looks to exact revenge for the early season loss Saturday night Oct. 3 at University Field (7 p.m.). It was Bloomsburg's first defeat since Sept. 20, 2008.

“They will be coming after us,” says Gregory. “We just have to prepare ourselves and keep the intensity we had from the first time, if not more. The game will come down to who has more heart and wants to win more.”

With the first half of the PSAC East season over, the Golden Bears are in third place with a record of 2-2 in the division. KU started the season on fire, winning its first five contests by a combined score of 26-6. After the Bloomsburg win, the Golden Bears lost in overtime to East Stroudsburg and then were edged 2-1 by No. 1 ranked Shippensburg.

Gregory knocked in the game winner at Millersville on Sept. 22, but credits the midfielders for the success.

“I can't take the credit,” admits Gregory. “The midfielders set the play up and created the fast break. They set me up perfectly.”

The Golden Bears entered the 2009 season with a core group of freshman that have all contributed to the success so far. Wesner declared during the preseason that the incoming freshmen were one of the best recruiting classes to come in. Wesner and Gregory recognize that it could be the start of something special.

“I am excited for the years to come with this team,” said Gregory. “We will definitely miss the upperclassmen though. We are young and will be together for quite some time.”

“There has been lots of playing time this year for the freshmen,” said Wesner. “They are learning and improving very quickly. With open starting spots at the start of the season and numerous injuries to upperclassmen, the freshmen have been thrown into the mix early.”

The level that Gregory is playing at came as no surprise to Wesner. She just hopes to see Gregory keep up with her hard work ethic and try to improve her and her teammates every time she touches the field.

 With the early success, Gregory knows that she hasn't reached her full potential yet.

“I just need to keep working hard and improving my play,” said Gregory.

--KU--