KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's soccer team clinched a playoff spot on Saturday afternoon as it defeated Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent Mercyhurst University in a physical 2-0 game at Keystone Field on homecoming.
Kutztown (10-4-1, 10-4 PSAC), who held a large lead in shots (32-11) and corners (14-6), was unable to get a rhythm going offensively despite a few good runs with numbers in its favor. It was not until the 66th minute that the Maroon and Gold were able to break through with a header coming from
Logan Kramer (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor (Arkansas State)) off of a beautiful corner kick by
Morgan Staley (Landenberg, Pa./Kennett). It was Kramer's second goal on the season.
Later in the second half, KU struck again in the 79th minute, which was again assisted by Staley. The goal was put away by junior
Alaina Curry (York, Pa./Dallastown Area), her fourth of the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Deanna Messner (Willow Grove, Pa./Archbishop Wood) put together another impressive outing as she tallied the 11th shutout of her career.
Kutztown was able to stay in Mercyhurt's (6-8-2, 5-8-2 PSAC) half of the field for a large majority of the contest, which ultimately dictated the pace. The cold afternoon was also riddled with physical play, which included a yellow card and nine fouls between the two teams.
Kutztown has now won 10 games for the 14th consecutive season. For head coach
Erik Burstein, it is his ninth straight year with 10-plus victories. Notably, Burstein has now had a winning season every year since taking over the head coaching job at KU.
The Maroon and Gold also clinched their eighth straight PSAC Tournament appearance with the victory. It is important to mention that Burstein sets a goal of 10-plus wins and a playoff berth for his team every year – goals that KU achieved with three games left in the regular season. This will now be the eighth straight season in the tournament, as KU currently sits third in the standings.
Kutztown hits the road this week in a quick turnaround, as it squares off against Pitt-Johnstown on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.
