KUTZTOWN, PA (March 31, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team that finished with a furious rally in a 11-10 defeat to Millersville University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game bares little resemblance to the squad that started the season. (BOXSCORE)
The Golden Bear program, in its third year under coach Sarah Greer, has come a long way in one short month. Last year, Kutztown suffered a pair of double-digit defeats to Millersville. However, this contest was a highly-entertaining back-and-forth affair that ended with Kutztown in attack mode. Progress.
“I definitely think we are playing much better as a team,” Greer said. “We're working well together and playing with a lot of heart. It takes time to build and I believe we are getting there with every game we play.”
Kutztown (2-7, 0-5) got terrific efforts from everybody on its roster. Freshman Jen Dunne led the way with four goals for the Golden Bears. Kutztown scored the final three goals of the game to throw a super-size scare into the Marauders. Also scoring two goals each for Kutztown were freshman Amanda Bushong and sophomore Ally Brehm.
The Golden Bear rally was a sight to behold. Players consistently flew around the field, made pin-point passes and had several great scoring opportunities. In the past, Kutztown struggled with stringing passes together and consistently creating pressure. There is a good vibe surrounding the team this season, mainly because Kutztown's starting line-up features nine freshmen.
“We need to stop being a second half team,” Dunne said. “Most of us as freshmen, knew that Kutztown was a up-and-coming program and we wanted to be a part of that foundation. We want to turn the program around and compete for conference titles. We are all working together more as a team.”
The Golden Bears had five assists on their 10 goals.
One of the leaders for Kutztown this season has been senior Janice Kinney, a fiery little ball that runs around the field with the ferocity of a pitbull. Kinney has been a member of the lacrosse team since the program started and she has enjoyed the progress. Kinney believes that her student-teaching experience last semester has really helped her leadership skills.
“The girls have committed to playing a Division II sport and stepping it up,” Kinney said. “As a team, we don't dwell on the past. We're just looking forward to the future. Everybody has a good attitude and we're going to keep improving the things that we do well.”
The wins aren't there yet but the Golden Bears know the happy endings will come soon especially if they give the same type of effort they did against Millersville. The Golden Bears scored the first goal when Lindsey Crits, who scored seven goals in a game earlier this season, found the back of the net less than three minutes into the game. Kutztown trailed, 6-5 at halftime.
Goalie Karly Waltman finished with five saves for Kutztown.
“We have high hopes for our program and I believe if we keep working hard some good things will happen for us,” Dunne said. “We all look up to Janice because she helps us keep the intensity up. She's a good leader and we're happy to have her.”
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