KUTZTOWN, PA (September 11, 2010) - The Kutztown University field hockey team opened their season with a 3-2 victory over Slippery Rock today at University Field. (BOX SCORE)
Katie Brautigan scored what would eventually end up as the game winning goal for the Golden Bears with 3:42 left in the second half. Sophomore Emily Labowitz and Jenna Gregory also scored for Kutztown as the Golden Bears are now 1-0 on the year.
The first half started slow for Kutztown as shots were tough to come by. Both teams controlled the ball well, but seemed to fall apart when approaching the opposing team's goal. As Kutztown started to gain momentum towards the end of the first half, Labowitz looked to be aggressive. The sophomore midfielder was able to attack the goal with 13:21 remaining and make a perfect pass to Gregory who would score Kutztown's first goal of the 2010 season. Kutztown finished the first half with 10 shots as Slippery Rock was only able to manage one.
If the rest of the season is anything like the second half however, Kutztown fans are in for an exciting year. The second half saw a combined 23 shots, four of which turned into goals. After Kutztown took a 2-0 lead off of Labowitz's goal, Slippery Rock responded as Sophomore Gabrielle Malishchak scored off of a Kutztown turnover in front of their own goal. Malishchak's goal would be one of three goals scored in the last 5:17 of the game. Kutztown's Katie Brautigan (Bernville, PA/Tulpehocken) scored off a penalty corner with just over three minutes left to go, and Slippery Rock scored again off a penalty corner of their own, but was unable to find an equalizer late in the game.
Kutztown goalkeeper Emily Falko had one save in her first game of 2010, and was substituted by Sophomore Karly Waltman six minutes into the second half. Emily Labowitz (Bala Cynwyd, PA/Lower Merion) led Kutztown with 11 shots and also contributed a goal and assist.
The Golden Bears next game is scheduled for Saturday, September 18 at 11 a.m. as they hope to move to 2-0 against visiting Shippensburg University.
