Box Score Kutztown 3, Bloomsburg 2 (HTML Box Score) KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Junior captain
Diana Malanga (Lavallette, N.J./St. Rose) is leading the charge through the middle portion of the season for the Kutztown University women's soccer team. She netted her first career hat-trick on Wednesday in Kutztown's 3-2 win against Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action.
The win was head coach
Erik Burstein's 96th win at Kutztown, one shy from becoming the all-time winningest coach for the program and tying Jeff Schellenberger's record of 97. Burstein is in his eighth season at the helm of the Golden Bears and holds a .662 winning percentage (first in program history) and a 96-45-11 record. Schellenberger holds the top mark for his record of 97-107-16 in his 12 years at Kutztown from 1989-91 and 1998-2006.
Malanga has scored four goals in her last two games for the Golden Bears (5-3, 4-3 PSAC), after scoring one of two goals for Kutztown in an upset victory over nationally-ranked California (PA) last Saturday. All three of her goals came in the first half that put Kutztown up 3-0 after 18 minutes of action.
In the seventh minute,
Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) sent a cross to the top of the box as Malanga followed with a left-footed score to the upper left corner. The duo connected for a second time just eight minutes later in the 15th minute, when Malanga headed in a pass from Costello in front of goal. Three minutes later, Malanga followed up and scored on a rebound in the 18th minute for the early KU lead.
Kutztown held the Huskies scoreless until the final 10 minutes of the game. Bloomsburg scored twice, one from 35 yards away that went over the KU keeper's head and one on a rebound off a saved shot.
Down to the final minute, Bloomsburg tallied four corner kicks and had brought their goalie into the offensive box as an extra attacker, but the Golden Bear defense held its ground and the 3-2 win.
Freshman goalkeeper
Deanna Messner (Willow Grove, Pa./Archbishop Wood) faced her busiest day in net of her career with 11 shots on goal. She made a season-high nine saves and has played well in her first season at Kutztown.
The Golden Bears vie for Bustein's historical victory on their home field this Saturday, Oct. 4, against Lock Haven. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Keystone Field.
