PHILIPPI, W. Va. – The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team is off to its first 3-0 start to a season since the program re-established in 2008. As much as KU's offense led it in Monday's 18-2 win over Alderson Broaddus, the defensive unit put together another strong outing and allowed its fewest goals in three years.
 
The Golden Bears (3-0) were extremely effective in their non-conference victory over the Battlers (2-2). The defense converted all 10 clears in the first half and finished 16-of-18. The offense took over from there, firing off 35 shots for 18 goals.
 
In 2016, Kutztown is outscoring its opponents, 44-14, and outshooting its opponents by averages of 35.3-14.
 
Sophomore duo Sarah Gabriele (Felton, Pa./York Catholic) and Lauren Huggins (Media, Pa./Penncrest) continued their tremendous starts to their campaigns. Gabriele scored four goals for a team-leading nine this season. Huggins scored three goals and was one of three Golden Bears to dish out two assists. She leads the team with 13 points.
 
Freshmen Lauren Schmidt (Hanover, Pa./South Western) and Makayla Bowman (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) notched two goals and two assists apiece, while Schmidt caused three turnovers.
 
Madison Carlucci (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) scored twice and Amanda Lehman (York, Pa./West York Area) scored her first career goal to round out the scorers.
 
Abby Cox (York, Pa./West York) turned in one of her best career performances in goal. In a complete-game win, she stopped 10-of-12 Alderson Broaddus shots.
 
Controlling the defense, Reilly Donovan (Bel Air, Md./Patterson Mill) picked up a team-high five groundballs and Emily Smith (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert Catholic) followed with four.
 
Kutztown returns to Berks County and has some time to celebrate its strong start. It returns to action on Saturday, March 12 with a road game at Chestnut Hill College beginning at 12 p.m.