Box Score Kutztown 1, East Stroudsburg 0 (HTML Box Score) |
Photo Gallery EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. –
Ally Kirkpatrick (Glen Mills, Pa./Penncrest) converted her first shot attempt as a collegiate athlete into the back of the net to lift the Kutztown University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over East Stroudsburg University in the 2014 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) season opener on Thursday night.
The freshman took the pitch as a sub in the second half for Kutztown (1-0, 1-0 PSAC) and made her chance count as she scored the lone goal of the game in the 59th minute unassisted.
The revenge is sweet for the Maroon and Gold, as East Stroudsburg (0-1, 0-1 PSAC) won the last two meetings (2012, 2013) between the teams by a score of 1-0.
The Warriors held control in the first half, firing off four shots and ringing a dangerous one off the crossbar in the 19th minute. The Golden Bears also struggled with the ESU trap in the first 45, getting caught offside four times.
Coach
Erik Burstein made quality adjustments at the half time break, resulting in
Diana Malanga (Lavallette, N.J./St. Rose) quickly ripping off two quick shots before Kirkpatrick netted the go-ahead score. KU remained onside the entire second half and held its opponent to just one shot.
Freshman goal keeper
Deanna Messner (Willow Grove, Pa./Archbishop Wood) also made her collegiate debut in the season opener, beginning her fresh career with a shutout over a conference rival while recording three saves.
Malanga, a 2013 All-Region Second Team member, led the way with three shots and one on goal. Forward
Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield), the 2013 Team MVP, and midfielder
Logan Kramer (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor (Arkansas State)) each tallied two shots-on-goal apiece.
Mariah Dimm (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) recorded the final shot-on-goal for the Golden Bears.
KU outshot the Warriors 9-6 and ESU held the corner kick advantage, 7-5.
The Kutztown defense hopes to continue to be a major threat to the rest of the conference in 2014. With one shutout already under its belt, KU will look to build upon its 1.05 goals against average and nine shutouts from last season.
The Maroon and Gold will have one day to rest before kicking off their home opener this Saturday, Sept. 6. The battle against West Chester University is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. from Keystone Field.
