Box Score KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University field hockey team nearly overcame a two-goal deficit in the second half, but three defensive saves and a saved penalty stroke by visiting Saint Anselm College in the final 10 minutes lifted it to a 4-3 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game at University Field.
The Golden Bears (0-1) dominated most of the statistical categories with advantages in shots (24-9) and penalty corners (10-3). They rallied nicely after giving up a penalty stroke goal in the first minute of the game and drew within one goal with just more than 10 minutes to play.
Kutztown continued to apply pressure in the final minutes and found itself in multiple fast-break opportunities. With seven minutes to play,
Anna Behm (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) and
Madison Wampler (York, Pa./West York Area) got shots past the Hawks goalkeeper, but two defensive saves kept the ball out of the cage, however, the second defensive save was made above the waist to give KU a penalty stroke attempt.
Alex DiMarco (Kunkletown, Pa./Pleasant Valley) came off the bench for the attempt, but had her shot saved on a diving attempt by the goalie.
Following a Saint Anselm timeout after the stroke, Behm dribbled past the keeper but had her shot stopped again by a defensive save. From there on, most of the action was played in the middle of the field as the Golden Bears unfortunately surrendered their season-opener.
Micaela Beaty (Drexel Hill, Pa./Archbishop Prendergast) and
Skyler Oates (Morristown, N.J./Madison) scored in the first half as Kutztown trailed 3-2 at halftime. KU held most of the possession in the second half as Behm also notched a goal on one of her game-high seven shots.
Kutztown used three goalies in the non-conference contest, each of whom allowed a goal. Bridget Davis, Canada Stewart, Colleen Sears and Kelsey Leblanc all scored for the Hawks (1-0).
The Golden Bears move into conference play next week when they travel to Bloomsburg University on Tuesday, Sept. 9 for a 6 p.m. showdown. Bloomsburg won both meetings last year by shutout.
