KUTZTOWN, PA (September 11, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team defeated Gannon University, 4-2 Saturday afternoon at Keystone Field. The Golden Bears intensity lasted throughout the entire game as junior Shannon Pennock scored off a penalty kick in the 79th minute. Pennock's goal gave the Golden Bears the finishing touch to seal the win. (BOXSCORE)
Kutztown (4-0 overall, 2-0 PSAC) is ranked 18th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Hendrickcars.com Division II Top 25 poll. Gannon fell to 3-1 and 1-1.
Pennock's penalty kick couldn't have come at a better time for the Golden Bears. With just a little over 10 minutes to play her goal helped exemplify the energy of the game.
"The individual performance from Shannon Pennock (Mansfield, N.J./Northern Burlington) today was something truly special,” said head coach Erik Burstein. “She really helped change the game and her quality was out of this world. She was a true inspiration today and I could not be more proud of her."
Early in the second half the Golden Bears showed off their offense with freshman Maria Borland scoring a goal assisted by her twin sister, freshman Stephanie Borland. Gannon quickly reacted when Katie Urban scored her team's first goal. Just two minutes later sophomore Morgan Muracco seized the action, scoring another goal for KU assisted off Borland's corner kick.
"In the second half we did an excellent job finding angled balls into wide spaces," Burstein said. "These passes really helped to break down Gannon's defense and we immediately began creating chances. Gannon's defense applied a lot of pressure in the first half but freshman Sam Moyer broke through Gannon's defense and scored her first goal of the season.
“The effort and work rate from our team today was absolutely fantastic and full credit goes to these remarkable young ladies for a tremendous result,” said Burstein.
With the passion that the KU women's soccer team displayed today one could only expect great things to happen for this team. The Golden Bears played with intensity and heart from start to finish. As the season progresses, the efforts and aspiration of this team continues to enhance.
The Golden Bears return to action Wednesday, September 15 against West Chester on the road at 3 p.m.
