KUTZTOWN, PA. (September 28, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team is ranked 25th in the latest National Soccer Coaches' Association of America (NSCAA)/ HendrickCars.com top poll. COMPLETE RANKINGS
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) has four schools in this week's top 25 poll. California is ranked seventh, Bloomsburg moved up to 13th, and West Chester fell to 18th after its 2-0 loss to Bloomsburg over the weekend.
Kutztown (6-2 overall, 3-2 PSAC), went 1-1 last week by defeating Dowling College 3-0, and falling to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) 2-1.
After a first half tie, Kutztown scored three second half goals to pull out a win against Dowling. Scoring for the Golden Bears were Stephanie Borland, Carolynne Kahl and Katie Sales. This was Sales' first goal this year.
Borland continues to be a leader on the field for Kutztown with her team-leading four goals and five assists. Borland also ranks 16th nationally in total assists. Also contributing for KU on offense are Megan Black and Morgan Muracco who each have three goals this year.
The Golden Bears, third in the NSCAA/Hendrickcars.com Atlantic Regional Rankings, have already scored 22 goals this season. KU ranks fourth in the PSAC and 24th in the nation at 2.75 goals per game. They have proven that despite finding themselves in close games in the first half, halftime adjustments have given the Golden Bears a 16-5 scoring advantage in the second half.
This wide overall scoring differential of 22-6 can also be credited to the KU backfield, led by senior Chelsea Deeter, and the goalkeeping of sophomore Alyssa Hackelberg. Deeter has played tough on the backline all season and has given opposing forwards poor scoring opportunities by keeping them away from the ball. Kutztown's six allowed goals this year ranks fourth in the PSAC. Hackelberg also has four shutouts in 2010 (third in PSAC).
Kutztown's biggest test of the week will come against California this Saturday, October 2 at 2:00 p.m. California and Kutztown split a pair of games in 2009. Kutztown defeated Cal, 2-1, in the PSAC semifinals at West Chester. However, Cal ended KU's season with a 3-1 victory in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region second round.
The Vulcans own one of the toughest offenses Kutztown will face this year as they rank first in the PSAC and second nationally in scoring offense (3.78). Cal is led by forward Bethany Smyda, who has eight goals this year along with seven assists (both of which lead the PSAC). Junior goalkeeper Paula Jackson ranks fifth in goals-against-average (.231), and eighth in save percentage (.931).
Kutztown is currently on a three-game road trip. Kutztown's next game is against Shippensburg Friday, October 1 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
