KUTZTOWN, Pa. – A sixth-minute headed goal by Katie Miller (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) held up as the game-winner as the Kutztown University women's soccer team won its fourth straight match, shutting out Indiana (Pa.) 1-0 in a battle of top-five Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) teams on a rainy Friday afternoon at Keystone Field.
 
KU (7-2, 5-2 PSAC) improves on its best start to a campaign since 2011 and ends September with five league wins in the month for the first time since 2013. With 15 points, the Golden Bears move into a tie for fourth place in the conference standings, trailing only three teams that are currently in the top 20 of the NCAA rankings.
 
With the loss, Indiana (6-4, 5-3) is now one of three teams that Kutztown is currently tied with in the league standings.
 
After generating shots that led to saves on two of its first three corners, it was Kutztown's fourth corner in the opening six minutes that led to the contest's only score. Erica Monte Carlo (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township) sent in a beautiful ball to the center of the box, where a waiting Miller outjumped everybody for the early lead with just 5:51 showing.
 
The connection between the defenders was all the more special based on the fact that it was Miller's first goal since the senior's freshman year in 2013 and Monte Carlo's first career collegiate assist in her sophomore season.
 
Kutztown did not let up from there as much of the first-half action was in the Golden Bears' attacking third, leading to major advantages in both first half shots (12-3) and corners (11-2). KU had numerous chances to double its lead, including a one-on-one opportunity for Alaina Curry (York, Pa./Dallastown Area) in the 18th minute that the senior sent wide. Sophomore Alyssa Ryan (North Wales, Pa./Wissahickon) hit the post in the 29th minute and then with less than two minutes remaining in the half, freshman Cara Griffith (Dickson City, Pa./Scranton Prep) was denied by IUP goalie Jessica Printz in a one-on-one situation.
 
The second half was much more even, but it was Kutztown freshman Maddie Mohr (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) with yet another major chance just 1:15 out of the break as she fired a one-time shot from inside the 18 right at Printz.
 
IUP settled in from there and even held a slight 4-3 edge in shots after halftime, including one final opportunity in the 87th minute, but nothing really troubled KU's sophomore goalkeeper Imani Taylor (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional).

In addition to playing a part in the only goal, Miller and Monte Carlo teamed with senior Cassie Schmidt (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) and junior Morgan Staley (Landenberg, Pa./Kennett) as the backline helped Kutztown's record its third shutout of the season.
 
Taylor has been in net for two of those shutouts, which have both come against teams currently in the top five of the league standings.
 
Kutztown has a quick turnaround, welcoming California (Pa.) to Keystone Field at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 1, as it looks to record a five-match winning streak for the fourth year in a row.