MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The third-ranked Kutztown University women's soccer team got a goal from sophomore forward Emily Zwiercan (Reinholds, Pa./Cocalico) in the 11th minute, and remained stout defensively to come away with yet another shutout victory Wednesday night at Pucillo Field at Millersville University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game.
 
It was Zwiercan's team-leading sixth goal of the season.

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"Picking up points on the road is always very difficult in the PSAC," said head coach Erik Burstein. "We didn't play our best, and we struggled at times with the pressure Millersville put us under, but I am really proud of the girls for digging in and grinding out the result!"
 
Kutztown (5-0 overall, 3-0 PSAC) is off to its best start since 1997 when it opened up 5-0.
 
The win over the Marauders (2-2-1, 1-2-1) also gives the Maroon and Gold a little payback after falling by the same score in the first game of the 2016 season.
 
Playing in their first PSAC road contest, the Golden Bears needed some time to find their footing. But it didn't take too long for them to get going.
 
In the 11th minute, KU was awarded a corner kick. When the cross from freshman Randi Smith (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) came in it was headed out and landed back at the feet of Smith who sent in another ball inside the box. Zwiercan was there to rise up and send it home.
 
It was the first assist on the year for Smith.
 
Goals can be hard to come by in league play, and that showed itself Wednesday night.
 
Once again the Golden Bears defense was pressured, and once again they came up unblemished. It is the fifth straight shutout for KU behind a backline of Morgan Staley (Landenberg, Pa./Kennett), Kristina Miller (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn), Anna Hull (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and Kaylee Kupiec (Deptford, N.J./Gloucester Catholic).
 
A three-headed monster in goal of junior Imani Taylor (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional), Jenna Bracken (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) and McKenna Zerbe (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) have combined for five wins and five shutouts.
 
Junior defender Erica Monte Carlo (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township) has been a big part of the first four games, but has been dealing with an injury.
 
Taylor got the start against Millersville and finished the game with four saves. Taylor came up big on several occasions, none bigger than late in the game.
 
With under 2:00 remaining, Millersville pushed everyone forward in a last ditch effort at the equalizer.
 
Crosses came in, Taylor was there to punch them away. Shots came ripping in, Taylor was there to keep them out of her net.
 
The Marauders outshot Kutztown 12-11 overall, but KU had a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Kutztown is a half-game behind Slippery Rock (3-1-1, 3-0-1 PSAC) with a game in hand as they take the field Saturday, Sept. 16 at California (PA) in their next game. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.