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Jeff Unger

Women's Soccer By Britney D. Reddick, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

2011 WOMEN'S SOCCER PREVIEW: New-look Kutztown ready to remain among the elite

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (August 30, 2011)—The Kutztown University women's soccer team is ready to utilize its tools of quality and quantity that features experience, depth and 16 newcomers who are all ready to build upon KU's winning tradition.

KU will open its 2011 season on Saturday, Sept. 3 when it hosts Concord University at noon on North
Campus Field.

Last season the Golden Bears (14-5-2 overall) finished third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). KU made its second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional tournament and advanced to the PSAC semifinals. Kutztown was ranked 24th in the final regular season National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top 25 poll.

Although those accolades are quite impressive, the Golden Bears are hungry for more after being picked fourth in the 2011 PSAC preseason coaches' poll.

“I'm excited about the team this year, we have a lot of players with quality,” Kutztown University women's head soccer coach Erik Burstein said. “At the end of the day we just want to make the playoffs and give ourselves a chance to get into a championship. We're just going to take it one step at a time and try to get these 16 freshmen acclimated to do what we need to help us win, and if we can, we're hoping to make the conference and the NCAA tournaments.”

With 15 experienced returnees back on the field for Kutztown, they know exactly what it takes to get KU to the top. The Golden Bears will be led by senior captains Carolynne Kahl (Bethel, PA/Tuplehocken), Laura Hearn (Wall, N.J./St. Rose), and Shannon Pennock (Mansfield, N.J./Northern Burlington).

“I haven't been disappointed in our senior captains, Shannon, Laura, and Carolynne have been top class and they've been for four years, “Burstein said. “Sarah Black (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) as a junior has been spectacular, not just in her play but in her leadership. We're really lucky to have them; they're the right type of players for these younger girls to model themselves after, so they can move forward and be successful in this program as well.”

Kahl will lead the forwards as she returns as Kutztown's leading scorer in 2010 with 12 goals. Kahl was an All-PSAC selection and fifth in the PSAC in goals. She proved her clutch capability ending the season with six game-winning goals. Junior Maria Borland (Hagerstown, MD/Hagerstown) will be seeing more time with the forwards this season. As a midfielder, Borland scored two goals in 2010 and was tied for second on the team with three assists. Sophomores Megan Black (Yardville, NJ/Steinert) and Sam Moyer (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West) contributed to KU's offense last year scoring three goals each. Looking to add to Kutztown's offensive force will be sophomore Janine Valerio (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township), along with freshmen Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield), Bella Jaffin (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick Area), and Taylor Higgins (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley).

Pennock and junior Crystal Zerbe (Myerstown, PA/Tulpehocken), a pair versatile players will spend their time assisting the forwards and the energetic midfielders. With five returning midfielders (juniors Sarah Black (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin), Stephanie Borland (Hagerstown, MD/Hagerstown), sophomores Katie Oliveri (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg), Lily Taylor (Buena, NJ/Buena Regional), and Jessica Woons (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute)), these playmakers accounted for 13 goals and 17 assists in 2010. The speedy Stephanie Borland (Hagerstown, MD/Hagerstown) scored eight goals along with eight assists, ranking her fifth in the PSAC in assists (0.38/game). Zerbe and Borland were both members of the All-PSAC East teams. Freshmen Jordyn Davis (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah), Manah Dimm, Taylor Higgins (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Jennifer Mason (Andover, NJ/Newton), and Rubi Mink (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) will be expected to help enhance this already well-established unit.

“I'm really looking forward to this year,” Pennock said. “It's a new team but we have a lot of experienced players. We have a good group of girls that came in and we're ready to get on the field. We know that we have some things to work on but we're really excited to start the season.”

Defensively, sophomore goalie Casey Behrendt (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) returns from an impressive 2010 season. She recorded 52 saves and allowed six goals. Behrendt was ranked in the NCAA Division II national leaders in two categories. She was fourth in save percentage (.912) and eighth in goals-against average (.424). Behrendt ranked second in the PSAC in save percentage (.897). She will have a lot of help this season with the addition of sophomore Alina Rakiewicz (Denver, PA/Cocalico)  and freshmen Jess Campbell (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) and Morgan Murphy (Aston, PA/Sun Valley).

Replacing KU's back line will be a task but Hearn is ready for the challenge. Junior BrieAnn Shipkowski (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central), and freshmen Alycia Giauque (Middletown, MD/Middletown), Jessica Lark (Northumberland, PA/Shikellamy), Hanna Fenstermacher (West Grove, Pa./Avon Grove), Rebecca Kovalik (Fairless Hills, PA/Pennsbury), and Mollie O'Brien (Silverdale, PA/Pennridge) are expected to make an impact for Kutztown's defenders.

“There is going to be a number of newcomers who'll get playing time in big games,” Burstein said. “I think all of the freshmen have come in and been able to adjust to our style of play and to adjust to the speed of play to what matches what's in the PSAC. They're a joy to work with and I believe they're the future of this program.”
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