Box Score KUTZTOWN, Pa. – On the same day that the Kutztown University Golden Bears broke into the national rankings, the Golden Bears delivered Head Coach
Erik Burstein's 100th career win with a 1-0 PSAC win at Clarion.
Burstein holds a record of 77-33-5 overall at KU, after winning 23 matches in three seasons as head coach at Division III Rutgers University-Newark.
The Golden Bears ranked 23rd in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II Women's National Poll released earlier Tuesday, and are now in first place in the PSAC with 28 points.
At Clarion, the Golden Bear offense kept possession through the majority of the first half of play, but the Golden Eagles' defensive line would not yield and the goalkeeper Laura Saussol managed save after save to go to halftime with the scoreboard tied 0-0.
During the second half of play, Clarion's Bethany Naugle came close to scoring in the 67th minute when she shot from five yards out, but Golden Bear goalkeeper
Alina Rakiewicz (Denver, PA/Cocalico) made the save and sent the ball back on its way to KU's offensive advantage.
Less than a minute later, a corner kick by KU caused panic on the Golden Eagles' defensive spectrum, resulting in Golden Bear
Mariah Dimm (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) taking the opportunity for a header shot to score the first and only goal for KU at 68:44.
With adrenaline surging, KU released a flurry of shots following the goal, but none had the accuracy to find the back of the net again, and the Golden Bears defeated Clarion 1-0 for their third consecutive shut out and sixth in season.
Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) stood out as a leader in the KU offense, finishing with the game high of seven shots, followed by
Taylor Higgins (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) and
Diana Malanga (Lavallette, N.J./St. Rose) with six shots apiece.
Kutztown out shot Clarion 30-6, and Rakiewicz finished with four saves to Saussol's 12.
The Golden Bears return home for a game against Indiana (Pa.) on Saturday, October 20, for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Keystone Field.
