KUTZTOWN, Pa. (November 3, 2010)—The Kutztown University women's soccer team plans to take care of some unfinished business as they meet California (Pa.) in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) semifinal game at West Chester University beginning at 1:30 p.m. (CLICK FOR LIVE STATS)
Joining third-seeded KU and second-seeded Cal in the final four are fifth-seeded Slippery Rock, and the top-seeded host West Chester. The Golden Bears and the Vulcans will face-off at 1:30 p.m. at South Campus Soccer Complex.
Admission for each day of the tournament is $7 for adults and $2 for children. Students from PSAC member institutions are free with a valid I.D.
Kutztown is ranked 21st in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25 poll. In the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional poll, KU is fourth behind West Chester, Cal, and Slippery Rock.
Before Kutztown (14-3-2 overall) and Cal (16-1-1) 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 11a.m.
The history between Kutztown and Cal women's soccer is one that could fill the pages of a novel. Kutztown is 10-5-2 all-time against Cal despite losing the last two meetings against the Vulcans. The Golden Bears dropped a 1-0 overtime heartbreaker to the Vulcans in a regular season match last month and lost to Cal 3-1, in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional second round last year nine days after beating Cal in the PSAC semifinals.
Neither team has won a PSAC championship.
Now that the history lesson is over, fans understand the significance of this crucial semifinal game. This perfectly matched game will be full of emotions as one team will continue its championship quest.
Kutztown enters the game on a roll having posted a nine-match unbeaten streak since losing to Cal last month. Cal has won three straight matches since falling 1-0 to West Chester on Oct. 16.
The Vulcans lead the PSAC in shots (25.17/game), points (9.50/game), goals (3.11/game), and assists, (3.28/game). Cal's Bethany Smyda is the Vulcans' leading scorer with 16 goals on the season. Vulcan Sam Regney is their secret weapon with eight goals. Regney and Carley Work scored goals for the Vulcans in their 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Indiana (Pa.) Tuesday afternoon.
Cal has an impressive resume but Kutztown's durable defense that includes Chelsea Deeter, Laura Hearn, Kelly Bushe, and Kelly Rozembersky is prepared to accept the challenge of slowing the Vulcans.
Freshman goalie Casey Behrendt has no plans of letting her guards down, as she leads the PSAC in goals against average (0.31) and save percentage (.935). Behrendt is ranked second in the NCAA weekly standings in save percentage.
The Vulcans' defense is backed by goalie Paula Jackson who has allowed only six goals and recorded 11 shutouts.
The numbers are close and Friday's matchup between these two should be worth the price of admission.
The Golden Bears 5-1 quarterfinal victory over Edinboro helped KU raise their 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. Kahl is tied fifth in KU history in goals in a season with 12.
“We're going to take the momentum from the Edinboro game and use that to our advantage against Cal,” Kahl said.
“We already lost to Cal and we want revenge,” Pyne said.
The Golden Bears know what they want and they are preparing to lay it all on the line for another day of survival in the PSAC playoffs. The winner will meet for the PSAC title Saturday at 11 a.m. at West Chester.
