KUTZTOWN, Pa. (October 8, 2011) – The Kutztown University field hockey team took down a top, in-conference opponent in Millersville Saturday night in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup at University Field.  (BOXSCORE)
 
The Golden Bears (8-4 overall, 3-2 PSAC East) entered Saturday nights matchup ranked ninth in the Kookaburra / National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) top poll.  The Marauders (7-6, 1-5) were ranked sixth.
 
Emily Labowitz (Bala Cynwyd, PA/Lower Merion) scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season Saturday night, which would be the eventual game-winner in KU's 2-0 victory.  The first half was paced by strong defensive play on both sides.  During a flurry of KU shots towards MU goalkeeper Sarah Dickinson, Labowitz was able to control the ball and convert on a high-percentage look to put the Golden Bears up late in the first half.
 
“We knew we had to step up our game up tonight since we had similar records,” Labowitz said.  “We have some big games coming up, and getting our first shutout of the year tonight was a major boost for us.  It was a total team effort and everyone really played well.”
 
Senior goalkeeper Emily Falko (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) has been the backbone on the defensive end for KU this season.  After battling through some injuries, Falko has stepped back in the box the past two games and has turned in some top-notch performances.  In KU's first shutout this season, Falko had nine saves in earning her team-leading fifth win of the season.
 
Midway through the second half, Kutztown again found itself applying pressure on Millersville, hoping to seal the deal with an additional goal.  Jenna Gregory (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) and Jamie Koenig (Springtown, PA/Palisades) led the late charge with repetitive shots on goal that would result in a penalty stroke for KU.  Sophomore Erin Reynolds (York, PA/Central York) stepped up to the line for KU and scored her second goal of the year.
 
With three teams from the East making the conference playoffs this season, every win has significant meaning.  No game can be overlooked and a team never wants to look back and think, 'what if'.  Being able to confidently step on the field Saturday night and walk away with a victory was a huge step forward for the Golden Bears.
 
“Every day we step on the field, we come in with the mindset that we can always get better,” Labowitz said.  “We've been working on a lot of things this season, but we have tried some different things on defense and I feel we are really getting better.”
 
Kutztown hits the road for three consecutive road games next week.  On Tuesday, Oct. 11, KU travels to East Stroudsburg for a PSAC East matchup beginning at 4 p.m.