DUE WEST, S.C. (March 8, 2011) – The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team started its 2011 season off on the right foot by defeating Erskine College, 9-7, Tuesday night.(BOXSCORE)
The Golden Bears (1-0 overall) used a total team effort to win a season opener for the first time since the women's lacrosse program was reinstated in 2008. Emily Solt (Bowmanstown, PA/Concord), Amanda Bushnog, and Kelsey Hogan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) scored two goals each for Kutztown. Solt also handed out a pair of assists for the Golden Bears. Also scoring goals for Kutztown were Rachel Mehaffey (Woodbury, NJ/West Deptford), Leann Pica, and Kierstyn Mock (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown).
“I thought we worked well together as a team today,” Kutztown head coach Sarah Greer said. “This win is a stepping stone for us and another learning experience. Overall, I thought we did a lot of nice things. Also, Marissa Kalonder did a nice job defensively on their leading scorer.”
Defensively, Solt and Pica led the way with four ground balls. Overall, eight different players finished with at least two ground balls for Kutztown. Goalie Joann McLaughlin made six saves in front of the net to earn the win.
It wasn't easy for the Golden Bears, who rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Solt led the way for Kutztown. She fed Mock for the tying goal with 8 minutes, 23 seconds remaining in the opening half. That started a three-goal run that established control for the Golden Bears. Solt gave KU the lead for good, 4-3, with 7:23 remaining before halftime. Three minutes later, Hogan converted from the free position to help Kutztown grab a 5-3 lead.
“I think we relaxed a little bit after we scored the opening two goals of the game,” Mehaffey said. “I liked the way we were able to pull together and get control of the game. That's a nice sign of growth for us. We're happy and excited about this victory.”
Solt gave the Golden Bears their largest advantage of the game when she found Pica six minutes into the second half. Pica's goal gave Kutztown a 7-4 lead. The teams traded goals for the remainder of the game.
Alesia Jerrells and Lauren Burdick led Erskine by scoring two goals each. This was Kutztown's first road victory since it beat Slippery Rock, 15-9, on March 31, 2008.
“I felt we had to come out today and make every member of our team feel welcomed because we have a lot of new faces,” Solt said. “It's nice to start the season with a win. Everybody is really excited. For us, this is a new beginning and we're looking forward to proving ourselves this season.”
Kutztown concludes its quick South Carolina trip with a match against Converse College Thursday afternoon starting at 4 p.m.
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