EAST STROUDSBURG, PA. (September 3, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's soccer team opened the 2010 season with a convincing 7-0 victory over Concord University in the East Stroudsburg University tournament Friday at Eiler-Martin Stadium. (BOXSCORE)
The Golden Bears are ranked 22nd in the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America (NSCAA) top 25 preseason poll. Following today's dynamic performance, the Golden Bears anticipate moving up the rankings. With five players scoring at least one goal, the Golden Bears proved why they are one of the nation's elite.
Sophomore midfielders Stephanie Borland (Hagerstown, MD/Hagerstown) and Morgan Muracco (Washington Township, N.J./Paul VI) controlled the offense by scoring two goals each. For Muracco, the goals were the first of her collegiate career.
Senior midfielder Jen Pyne (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) started the scoring for the Golden Bears three minutes into the game. Sophomore midfielder Julia DiFerdinando (Chadds Ford, PA/Garnet Valley) also contributed to the electrifying offense by scoring KU's second goal 10 minutes later.
The excitement did not stop there as freshman forward Megan Black (Yardville, NJ/Steinert) scored her first career goal in the 27th minute, which gave Kutztown a 3-0 advantage. Sophomore midfielder Maria Borland (Hagerstown, MD/Hagerstown) assisted on goals by both Black and Muracco. Borland and senior forward Pyne also assisted on goals.
“Our second half performance tonight was very good,” Kutztown University women's soccer head coach Erik Burstein said. “Once we started moving the ball and connecting our passes we found a good rhythm. I was also impressed with the goals we scored because the ladies had some great finishes.”
Not only did the nationally-ranked Golden Bears showcase their stellar offense, but their defense proved to be a force that was tough to penetrate. KU goalies Alyssa Hackleberg and Casey Behrendt (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) combined for one save en route to the shutout. The Golden Bear defense resembled last year's when they posted a school record 13 shutouts.
It was more than evident in today's game that the Golden Bears are here to play and continue in hopes of moving up in the national rankings.
The Golden Bears will return to action again on Sunday, September 5 at 1:30 pm against Assumption College in the final day of the East Stroudsburg University tournament.
“Winning the first game of the year is always a nice feeling, but being able to win your first game while playing your entire team is something truly special,” Burstein said. “We have great depth in this squad and I truly hope we can continue rotating players into games. Although we had a great result tonight, it is only one game. We need to stay focused for each and every game and we need to find a bit more consistency with our style of play.”
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