Box Score



Millersville 2, Kutztown 0 (HTML Box Score)
 
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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Fighting off the blazing mid-September heat, the Kutztown University women's soccer team couldn't overcome a pair of first half goals by Millersville University in a 2-0 setback on Tuesday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game at Keystone Field.
 
The Golden Bears (1-2, 1-2 PSAC) had some unfortunate deflections fall in favor in the Marauders (3-0, 2-0) in their third straight conference game to open the season. After 20 minutes of Kutztown maintaining the majority of possession, Millersville made the most of its first clean look at goal. It served the ball into the box from about 30 yards away from goal, had the ball deflected in front and fall right on the foot of Megan Kelley, who sent a strike to the near post to give it a 1-0 lead.
 
Sophomore midfielder Diana Malanga (Lavallette, N.J./St. Rose) worked hard for one of Kutztown's greatest looks at goal all game. In the 32nd minute, she sliced-and-diced her way through several Millersville defenders, took Kutztown's first shot on goal of the game, but was stopped by Millersville keeper Olivia Webber.
 
The Marauders capitalized on the big save four minutes later and extended its lead to two. With both teams scrambling for the ball in front of the KU net, Millersville's Halie Parker took a high shot from about five yards down the goal line. Kutztown goalkeeper Alina Rakiewicz (Denver, PA/Cocalico) made a tremendous effort to tip the ball in the air, but the force of the shot caused the ball to continue to roll past Rakiewicz and into the net.
 
Kutztown had an opportunity to draw within one just seven minutes into the second half. Junior forward Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) dribbled around Webber and sent a clean shot towards goal, but a Millersville defender was on the back line and made the stop to keep the Golden Bears off the board.
 
Both teams had shots on goal down the stretch, but Millersville's 12-8 overall shot advantage including 7-3 in the second half played a significant factor in Tuesday's outcome.
 
Rakiewicz made five saves in the setback for Kutztown, as Millersville's Webber tallied four in her first shutout victory of the season.
 
The Golden Bears will use their extra days off from competition to recoup as they aim to return to the win column on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Shippensburg University. Game time is set for 2 p.m.