KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Tied at halftime, the Kutztown University field hockey team got second-half goals from
Rachel Dusman (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Area) and
Kyra Wozniak (Plains, Pa./James M. Coughlin) to propel itself over the Rock of Slippery Rock, 3-1, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action from Andre Reed Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The win for KU was fitting as it claimed the victory on a day where many of the program's alumni were in attendance, as the Maroon and Gold celebrated its 50th season in conjunction with the game.
Dusman opened the scoring for the Golden Bears, getting Kutztown on the board in the second minute for her 11th goal of the season. KU controlled the pace of play for most of the opening 35 minutes, outshooting SRU 11-3, but were bitten by a late Rock goal before half to even the score at one at the break.
Kutztown wasted little time putting itself back in front to begin the second half as Wozniak slotted home her 16th goal of the season on an assist from
Mackenzie Fuhrman (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) to put KU ahead 2-1 three minutes into the half. The game got a little dicey for the Golden Bears down the stretch as
Gabby Hess (Mount Joy, Pa./Donegal) and Dusman both drew yellow cards with 20 minutes left, less than 40 seconds apart.
Down two players for nearly six minutes, Kutztown stood firm and weathered the storm, keeping the Rock at bay. Dusman exacted her revenge later after serving her time in the box, scoring in the 65th minute on an assist from
Alyssa Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Cumberland Regional) to put KU ahead 3-1, a lead it would see to the finish line.
Kerri Hanshaw (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) (1-0) earned the win, making three saves and playing the entire game, her first of the season and first of her career. Maddie Murphy, stopping 10 shots, took the loss for SRU, dropping her record to 5-8.
The win for Kutztown snapped a three-game losing streak, improving its record to 10-4 and 3-3 in PSAC play.
The Golden Bears prepare for another nationally-ranked showdown in their next tilt, hosting No. 1 West Chester on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
