MILLERSVILLE, Pa. (September 13, 2011) – In a top 10 showdown, seventh-ranked Kutztown University proved to be head-and-shoulders above sixth-ranked Millersville University thanks to the Emily tandem.    (BOXSCORE)
 
Emily Labowitz (Bala Cynwyd, PA/Lower Merion) scored twice and Emily Falko (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) shined in goal to help the Golden Bears remain perfect on the season with a 2-1 victory in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division opener at Chryst Field Tuesday evening. Labowitz scored in each half to help Kutztown (4-0 overall, 1-0 PSAC East) strike first in a battle of nationally-ranked heavyweights.
 
“As a team, we knew this wasn't going to be easy game,” Labowitz said. “We had to push hard because Coach Betty Wesner always tells us to dig deep. We had to beat Millersville especially if we want to do well in the East so we pulled together as a team. We were disappointed not to get the shutout, but this is going to make us work that much harder.”
 
Labowitz, a junior leisure and sport studies major, is tied for the team lead in goals with four. This was her first career multi-goal game. Labowitz has a beautiful personality along with an award-winning smile, which has made an impact on her teammates. The Golden Bears are a close knit group that enjoys each other and likes to have fun.
 
Kutztown controlled the first 30 minutes, and held off a furious Millersville charge in the final five minutes. Fortunately, Falko stood tall between the cage for the Golden Bears finishing with six saves. Kutztown outshot the Marauders, 17-10.
 
Labowitz broke a scoreless tie with goal in the 19th minute. She doubled KU's lead five minutes into the second half.
 
“On the first goal, Jamie Koenig (Springtown, PA/Palisades) hit the ball in from the top, which was real nice of her,” Labowitz said. “I basically scrambled on the ground to put it in to finish it. Then on the second goal, the ball was up top in the circle and I slammed it into the back of the cage.”
 
Labowitz speeds through the midfield like a Porsche. She has been playing field hockey since seventh grade and is following in her mother's footsteps. Her mom played at Albright. She played soccer before finding her niche with field hockey. Last season as a sophomore, Labowitz scored five goals and had three assists. One of her highlights last year was scoring the game-winning goal against C.W. Post.
 
Labowitz was busy over the summer. She taught lacrosse at a two-week clinic, spent quality time down the beach and dog-walked for her neighbor. As a graduate of Lower Merion High School, the alma mater of five-time NBA champion Kobe Bean Bryant, it's no surprise that Labowitz loves basketball and wants to work for the Philadelphia 76ers in her future.
 
“Emily is just a hard worker, and a great role model on and off the field,” Wesner said. “She gives us a lot of energy on the field. Emily, Imani Ferguson (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape), and Jamie are just workhorses up front. They give us everything we have. The other good thing about tonight was I was able to get quite a few freshmen in the game tonight, which was good. Finally, to beat a team ranked above us was nice.”
 
Kutztown hits the road this weekend when it travels to Seton Hill University on Friday and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday.
 
--KU--