KUTZTOWN, Pa. – In its final home game of the season, the Kutztown University women's soccer team will honor seniors Katie Oliveri (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg) and Alina Rakiewicz (Denver, PA/Cocalico) before kickoff against Mercyhurst University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.
About Katie Oliveri (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg):
Oliveri has been an integral player since joining the team her freshman year, starting her career in midfield, before transitioning to central defense her sophomore season. This season, she has risen to lead the back line as a captain and helped anchor a defensive unit that recorded a seven-game winning streak, with all but one of the games being shutout victories.
In 57 career starts and 67 games played, she has recorded one goal and two assists. In a 2-0 victory over Bloomsburg this season, Oliveri sent a long ball to the forward line, leading to the second assist of her career. The first came during her freshman season in KU's 2-0 victory over Mansfield, not long after she scored the first and only goal of her career in a game against Lock Haven. In 2012, 2011, and 2010 she was named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete.
Oliveri will graduate this May with a degree in secondary education in English. After graduation, she plans on finding a teaching position in central Pennsylvania.
About Alina Rakiewicz (Denver, PA/Cocalico):
Rakiewicz is a three-year member of the Golden Bears. She made an immediate impact in goal during her junior season, starting in 12 of her 14 games played. She had 52 saves in 1176:30 minutes in net and allowed only nine goals against her. She finished her junior season with a 5-4 record with four shutouts, and recorded a career-high 14 saves in a 0-0 tie against West Chester.
She has played and started in 16 games this season, and currently holds a record of 11-5 with six shutouts and 51 saves.
Rakiewicz will graduate this May with a degree in secondary education in English. Her post-graduation plans include attending graduate school and possibly taking a graduate assistant soccer coach position, and eventually making her way into the working world as a teacher and coaching soccer at the high school or club level.
Last season, the Golden Bears defeated the Lakers in a 5-0 shutout victory, and Saturday they look to improve their winning streak to a fourth game.
