NCAA Regional Rankings (10-19-16)
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The 22nd-ranked Kutztown University women's soccer team posted a 4-0 shutout on the road against Mansfield University at Karl Van Norman Field on Wednesday and clinched a berth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.
 
Prior to the game, the NCAA released its first official regional polls of the season. Kutztown was ranked second in the Atlantic Region poll, which is used to determine the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament at the end of the season, and showed Wednesday it was worthy of the spot.
 
After a slow start to the contest, freshman Cara Griffith (Dickson City, Pa./Scranton Prep) continued her hot streak with her sixth goal of the season as she netted one from 18 yards out. It was Griffith's fourth goal in three games.
 
The Maroon and Gold continue to find high production from their freshmen this season, and this held true on Wednesday. Freshman Maddie Mohr (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) headed in a goal 10 minutes after Griffith to give Kutztown a 2-0 lead heading into the second half of play. The header was courtesy of a cross from fellow freshman, Courtney Browning (Camp Hill, Pa./Camp Hill).
 
Kutztown did not let up its aggression, as Mohr once again found the back of the net off of a penalty kick in the 57th minute. The two-goal performance put Mohr at six goals on the year as her and Griffith are tied for the most goals on the team.
 
As the minutes were winding down, Kutztown tacked on one more insurance goal when Madison Mummert (Glen Rock, Pa./Susquehannock) gathered a rebounded shot and scored Kutztown's fourth and final goal from five yards out.
 
Imani Taylor (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) got the nod in goal and recorded three saves. This was Taylor's fourth shutout of the season.
 
As a team, Kutztown held an impressive 29-7 advantage in shots and a 13-3 advantage in shots-on-goal.
 
Although Kutztown is now 10-3 in the PSAC, it currently sits in fourth place in the PSAC standings. It will be important for the Golden Bears to maintain their form in the coming weeks as a top-four finish grants them a home playoff game.
 
Kutztown will look to extend its winning-streak to five games as it hits the road once more against Mercyhurst University on Saturday, Oct. 22. The game is slated to begin 1 p.m.
 
 
NCAA Atlantic Region Rankings (10-19-16)
1) West Chester
2) Kutztown
3) Notre Dame (Ohio)
4) East Stroudsburg
5) Charleston (W.Va.)
6) Edinboro
7) West Va. Wesleyan
8) Gannon