Photo GalleryKUTZTOWN, Pa. – Despite entering halftime tied at 1-1, the Kutztown University field hockey team capitalized on a strong second half and ultimately defeated Indiana (Pa.), 3-1 in the season's opening Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) contest on a gorgeous evening at Andre Reed Stadium.
Kutztown (4-2, 1-0 PSAC) defeated IUP (2-2, 0-1 PSAC) for the first time since Sept. 15, 2007. Additionally, this IUP team impressed in its previous game against then-top-ranked Millersville, forcing a second overtime tied at 1-1 before play was suspended.
Entering Friday's contest, senior forward
Anna Behm (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) led Division II with seven goals. She continued her scoring tear by netting her eighth and ninth goals of the season in the victory.
Behm scored the game's first goal in the ninth minute.
IUP was able to gain momentum heading into the half when Mackenzie Stahle scored on a beautiful redirect off a shot from McKenzie Noll just 2:15 before the break.
The Golden Bears took the lead in the 51st minute when
Courtney Konowal (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) fired a shot into the circle and
Megan Tiwold (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) delivered a well-timed deflection to shoot the ball past the IUP goalkeeper.
In the 62nd minute, Behm dribbled down the middle of the field and through two IUP defenders before capping off the run with the insurance goal.
Kutztown led in shots, 12-9, and IUP held a 7-4 advantage in penalty corners.
Senior goalkeeper
Kayla Denlinger (Manheim, Pa./Hempfield) totaled four saves.
Behm is now just four points away from becoming the eighth player in KU history to record 100 points in a career.
The Golden Bears will have the rest of the weekend off before hosting No. 2 ranked Shippensburg University on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Andre Reed Stadium.
