KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University women's soccer junior forward Emily Zwiercan (Reinholds, Pa./Cocalico) picked up right where she left off a year ago, scoring a goal in the 53rd minute off an assist from freshman Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East), as KU won its season-opener 1-0 over the University of Charleston (WV) Thursday afternoon under the sun at Keystone Field.
 
The returning All-American Zwiercan led the Golden Bears with 14 goals last season, third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and fourth-most in school history. Her first of 2018 proved vital as it was the lone score of the contest.
 
"It feels great to come out and get a win in the first game," said Zwiercan. "We came out and competed. I thought in the first half it took a little bit for us to get going because of the heat. That had an impact on everyone. But in the second half we had more energy and really pushed for that opening goal. We knew one would be important in a game like this."
 
With the sun bearing down and humidity in the air, both the Golden Bears and the Golden Eagles needed strong legs to fight through the conditions.
 
In a first half which saw both teams trying to get back into soccer-playing mode, KU controlled the tempo and the scoring chances. Holding a 5-1 advantage in shots and 9-1 edge in corner kicks, Kutztown was knocking at the door, but just could not break through.
 
Until the 53rd minute.
 
After Argen took the initial corner kick near the Golden Bears sideline, the ball was cleared out by Charleston, but just a few yards outside of the 18-yard box. Freshman Destiny Wiatr (Runnemede, N.J./Triton Regional) took a touch and passed it right back out to the corner for Argen. She made a quick move towards the end line and passed a low ball into the box which was met by the right foot of Zwiercan for the game-deciding goal.
 
It was the 20th career goal for Zwiercan, which puts her into a tie for 10th all-time at KU. Her 55 career points ranks 10th in program history, two points behind classmate Maddie Mohr (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area).
 
Mohr, senior captain Alyssa Ryan (North Wales, Pa./Wissahickon) and the rest of the KU midfield were steady throughout the game, creating chances while also dropping back when pressured. The KU defense, led by junior captain Kristina Miller (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn), classmate Kaylee Kupiec (Deptford, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) and senior Erica Monte Carlo (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township) were strong in front of their net, not allowing the Golden Eagles many good looks on goal. Charleston had just three shots on goal all contest.
 
Junior goalie Jenna Bracken (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) made three saves and recorded the shutout. For her career, Bracken now has 12 career shutouts, tied for fifth all-time at KU.
 
Charleston battled for 90 minutes. It is not a cake-walk type of non-conference game that head coach Erik Burstein schedules with the Golden Eagles. The two teams have played early in the season each of the last four seasons. KU is 3-0-1, but all four games have been decided by one goal or less.
 
"They're a great team and physical all over the field," Zwiercan said. "We're a younger team, so a lot of our players weren't used to how these games can be. Our older players know this from playing in the PSAC. We just needed to dig and fight through it, and we did."
 
Kutztown had 22 players see the field, including eight freshman and five sophomores.
 
"They're all super-talented and smart," said Zwiercan on the underclassmen. "It's great because they all want to play and bring energy to the lineup. It's really a positive thing and I'm looking forward to playing with each and every one of them."
 
Kutztown is back on home soil Saturday, Sept. 1 for the PSAC-opener against Slippery Rock at 1 p.m. at Keystone Field. KU will hit the road in a quick turnaround, playing at Shepherd that Sunday at 1 p.m.