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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The second-ranked Kutztown University women's soccer team used two first-half goals by freshman
Randi Smith (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) and sophomore
Maddie Mohr (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) to win an important Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup against West Chester University 2-0 Wednesday afternoon at Keystone Field.
Kutztown (9-0 overall, 7-0 PSAC) ties the record for most consecutive victories in a season in program history with nine.
Returning to Keystone field for the first time since Saturday, Sept. 9, the Golden Bears felt right at home against the Golden Rams, a team they lost to on the same field last season.
In a matchup of PSAC-leading Kutztown's goals per game (3.1) against West Chester's goals against average (0.43), something had to give.
It was the KU high-scoring attack that dealt the first blow.
Sophomore forward
Emily Zwiercan (Reinholds, Pa./Cocalico) dribbled near the end line of the Golden Rams goal and sent in a curling cross. Smith was first to it and got a touch on it that guided it forward. Before a Golden Rams defender could clear it off the line, Smith powered it home for her fifth goal of the season.
The Golden Bears went two goals ahead about 20 minutes later.
Freshman
Rachel Rizzo (Manahawkin, N.J./South Regional) dribbled inside the 18-yard box and took a shot. Her effort was cleared away by a defender to the feet of Mohr. Mohr took one touch ahead and ripped a low-diving shot that found its way into the bottom right corner of the goal passed a diving West Chester goalie for the 2-0 lead.
The Golden Rams had their opportunities throughout the game. They outshot KU 13-11.
But sophomore goalie
Jenna Bracken (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) finished with seven saves, all coming in a variety of different ways. Her punch over the crossbar in just the fifth minute may have been the play of the game. Not only did it keep West Chester off the scoreboard, but it kept the momentum with Kutztown.
It was Bracken's fifth win on the season and her third shutout.
The Golden Bears are in first-place in the PSAC, one-and-a-half games ahead of second-place Gannon, who sits at 5-1-1.
Kutztown returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. on Keystone Field. The Golden Bears take on Mercyhurst University.
