Box Score



Kutztown 3, Limestone 0 (HTML Box Score)
 
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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University field hockey goalie Rachael Sanders (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg (Limestone)) shined in her first career start to lead Kutztown to a 3-0 victory against the Saints of Limestone College in a non-conference match Friday afternoon at University Field.
 
The Golden Bears (6-8) held the seventh-ranked team in the country to a scoreless first half, but following what must have been an inspirational halftime speech by Kutztown head coach Marci Scheuing, Kutztown scored three unanswered goals in the second half to take down the Saints (11-4).
 
"This is our first shutout of the year as a whole team, and she (Sanders) played phenomenal in her first start," Scheuing said. "She played unbelievable against West Chester in the second half, and she earned this playing time today. Sanders was definitely the star of the game, you cannot deny that."
 
It was a scoreless first half as both the Golden Bears and the Saints defensive ends cut off scoring opportunities. Limestone seemed to dominate the game in the first half, out-shooting the Golden Bears 9-1, and taking seven penalty corners to Kutztown's one.
 
"The first half was not our best, but we knew we had to come out strong," sophomore forward Anna Behm (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) said. "After halftime we were all pumped, and we were actually having fun. We knew what we have to do, and we are excited that we were able to come away with a much-needed win."
 
The Golden Bears lit up the field in the second half as Erin Reynolds (York, PA/Central York) scored the game-winning goal and notched her eighth goal of the season in the 40th minute. The goal was a result of a penalty corner assisted by Erin Danner (Marysville, PA/Susquenita). Reynolds calmly collected the ball and ripped it into the goal cage to lift Kutztown to a 1-0 advantage.
 
Kutztown went on to score two more goals within a two-minute span. Senior forward Jamie Koenig (Springtown, PA/Palisades) sent in shot from the top of the circle, Danner gathered the rebound and shot again for her fifth of the season.
 
KU's final goal came in the 44th minute when Behm tipped the ball into the goal, assisted by Danner and Reynolds off a penalty corner to give Kutztown the 3-0 win.
 
Sanders totaled 13 saves in Kutztown's first shutout of the season.
 
"This is a fantastic win, even more so since I transferred from Limestone," Sanders said. "Our defense played amazing all the way up to our offense, and that actually calmed me down knowing that my team was going to get the job done right away. Coach Scheuing told me to work for a shutout, and I am glad we did."
 
Moving forward, the Golden Bears will face off against the Griffins of Seton Hill University Friday night at 7 p.m. at University Field for homecoming. Last season, the Griffins had a comeback victory, 4-3, over the Golden Bears in a double overtime battle. The Golden Bears will look for some redemption in a conference matchup against Seton Hill to improve its record to 3-5 in the PSAC.