KUTZTOWN, PA (November 2, 2010)— Full of energy, the Kutztown University women's soccer team defeated Edinboro University, 5-1, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) quarterfinal match Tuesday afternoon at Keystone Field. The Golden Bears will advance to the PSAC semifinals to take on California (Pa.), Friday, November 5 at 1:30 p.m. at West Chester. (BOXSCORE)
Kutztown (14-3-2 overall) is ranked 21st in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25 poll. Regionally, KU is ranked third behind top-ranked West Chester and Cal.
Before Kutztown and Cal meet in their repeat semifinal match from last year where KU defeated Cal 1-0, defending PSAC champion and host West Chester will play Slippery Rock at 11:30 a.m. The two winners will meet for the PSAC title Saturday at 1 p.m. at West Chester.
Today's electrifying victory raised the Golden Bears season goal total to 43, the fourth-most in a single season in KU history. Also, with the win, KU moved within one victory of tying the 2009 team's school record win total of 15. The 14 victories are tied for the second-most in a single season.
With the win, Kutztown most likely secured a trip to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional tournament for the second consecutive year. The pairings and selections for the 2010 NCAA tournament will be announced Monday evening during a webcast on ncaa.com.
Earlier this season, KU claimed a tense 1-0 victory over Edinboro in the regular season. Kutztown wasted little time establishing control of the game.
Sophomore Stephanie Borland took reign and recorded her first career hat trick. Borland started the scoring drive for the Golden Bears in the 18th minute and never looked back. Borland's last two goals were assisted by sophomores Crystal Zerbe and Morgan Muracco.
“It was nice to get some goals and contribute to the success,” Borland said. “We hope to take this tempo into our next game.”
Senior Jen Pyne got a piece of the action and gave KU a 2-0 lead. Pyne's goal was assisted by Borland. With minutes until halftime, Borland was back at it again giving the Golden Bears a 3-0 advantage but Edinboro's Jamie Warren cut the Golden Bears' lead to 3-1 at halftime with a goal late in the first half.
“We changed our formation and I think it gave us a spark,” Pyne said.
The familiar face of junior Carolynne Kahl appeared in the second half pushing the game further out of Edinboro's reach. Kahl scored off a penalty kick that breezed into the back of the net. Borland sealed the deal with her third goal in the 82nd minute.
“The last time we played Edinboro, they used their field to their advantage.” said Kahl. “Today we used our field and width to our advantage and it showed.”
"I am absolutely thrilled with the way our team played today and I am so happy for the girls on the team," Kutztown head women's soccer coach Erik Burstein said. “They really earned and deserved this win."
As Kutztown rides high on their emotions and pride of returning to another final four, they know that their work will be cut out for them against Cal.
The Golden Bears dropped a 1-0 overtime heartbreaker to the Vulcans in a regular season match last month and lost to Cal in the NCAA Atlantic Regional second round last year.
“We're going to keep pushing for more,” Pyne said. “We want it all and we're ready for revenge.”
The winner of this match will keep its dreams alive of a conference championship and meet the winner of the West Chester-Slippery Rock game Saturday, November 6.
NOTES: Today's electrifying victory raised the Golden Bears season goal total to 43, the fourth-most in a single season in KU women's soccer history. Also, with the win, KU moved within one victory of tying the 2009 team's school record win total of 15. The 14 victories are tied for the second-most in a single season.
