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Kutztown 2, Clarion 0 (HTML Box Score)
 
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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Another game, another shutout victory for the Kutztown University women's soccer team. In a regionally-ranked battle, Kutztown defeated Clarion University 2-0 on Friday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game at Keystone Field.
 
The Golden Bears (4-3, 4-3 PSAC) entered the game ranked 10th in the latest regional poll and controlled the majority of the game against the fifth-rated Golden Eagles (3-2-2, 3-2-2). Kutztown fired 27 shots while limiting Clarion to five including one in the second half.
 
Junior forward Taylor Higgins (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) notched Kutztown's first goal of the afternoon in her first action of the season. Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) had her shot knocked down by Clarion goalkeeper Laura Saussol, but fell right on the foot of Higgins who sent the rebound into the back of the net.
 
Costello was involved yet again in Kutztown's second strike. In the 69th minute, Costello lofted a ball from the right wing into the box and Alaina Curry (York, Pa./Dallastown Area) headed the ball past the diving keeper to give the Golden Bears a two-score advantage. It was her team-leading third goal of the year.
 
"The thing that impressed me today was the manner in which we earned the win," head coach Erik Burstein said. "We created numerous opportunities and followed the game plan to near-perfection, and that is what makes the winning result so exciting."
 
Clarion was held without a shot for the remainder of the game as 10 Golden Bears tallied at least one shot in their third consecutive shutout victory. It is the seventh straight season Kutztown has held a three-game shutout streak.
 
"We are still trying to play a bit more efficient on the back line, but you know you are doing some things well when you can keep the opposition off the board," Burstein said. "Every game brings a separate set of challenges, and we will continue to tinker with our game plan to find what is working for us moving forward."
 
In goal, Alina Rakiewicz (Denver, PA/Cocalico) picked up the win with a pair of saves for the Golden Bears. Her defensive line helped her neutralize most of Clarion's quality looks throughout the entirety of the game.
 
Kutztown will not have to worry about waiting long to get back onto the field to extend its season-long winning streak to four. It hosts Indiana University (PA) on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. at Keystone Field. The teams tied 1-1 last season as Kutztown will be looking for its first win over the Crimson Hawks (4-3-1, 3-3-1) since 2008.
 
"(IUP) has some very dynamic forwards and players who can beat you on the dribble, something we have not seen that much this season," Burstein said. "It will certainly be a challenge for us, but I think if we defend well, remain patient, and contain their forwards the best we can, we can build off what we did today in hopes of continued success."