KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team controlled possession and used smothering defense to get off to a great start to its 2016 campaign on Wednesday afternoon. KU braved the elements in a 12-8 season-opening victory over Holy Family University in non-conference action at a windy and frigid Andre Reed Stadium.
The Golden Bears out-shot the Tigers, 32-17, and landed 26-of-32 shots on goal. They attacked often up the middle and were not afraid to drive into contact, as Holy Family fouls results in a 10-2 advantage for KU in free-position shots.
Sophomore
Sarah Gabriele (Felton, Pa./York Catholic) took five of the team's 10 free-position attempts. She netted three goals on the afternoon for five total points that included an assist. She fired a team-high 13 shots and looked sharp after an impressive freshman campaign last season.
Fellow sophomore
Lauren Huggins (Media, Pa./Penncrest) led the scoring attack with not only her first career multi-goal game, but a career-high four-goal afternoon. She went 2-for-2 on free-position shots and helped KU maintain its lead with three second-half goals.
Defensively, Kutztown forced 32 Holy Family turnovers, the most for the program since Mar. 26, 2009, at Bloomsburg, when it forced 35. 11 Golden Bears combined for 16 caused turnovers that significantly limited Holy Family's ability to create good looks at the net.
Sophomore
Jen Bergey (Souderton, Pa./Souderton) picked up her first career win with a complete game on Wednesday. She made seven saves on her 17 shots faced.
Also scoring for Kutztown in its season-opener were
Madison Carlucci (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley),
Makayla Bowman (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn),
Cara Lord (Media, Pa./Penncrest) and
Emily Smith (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert Catholic). Lord, the team's lone senior, added an assist on Huggins' fourth goal of the game.
The Golden Bears look ahead to two games over spring break in the coming week. They travel to W. Va. to face Charleston on Sunday, March 6, and Alderson Broaddus on Monday, March 7.
