KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The 16th-ranked Kutztown University women's soccer freshman Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) scored the quickest goal of the season, one-upping junior Emily Zwiercan (Reinholds, Pa./Cocalico), who had the assist on Argen's goal, and KU held firm defensively in defeating California University (PA) 1-0 Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game at Keystone Field.
 
It is the fifth straight win for the Golden Bears (6-1 overall, 4-1 PSAC), who currently sit in a three-way tie for first in the conference standings.
 
Three days after Zwiercan found the back of the net in just 0:50 in the 2-1 win vs. Millersville last Wednesday, she sent in a low cross into the 18-yard box on Saturday. The ball eluded a few Cal defenders and Argen raced onto it and powered home a one-time shot with just 0:48 gone off the scoreboard.
 
It was the first goal this season for Argen, who also leads the team with two assists.
 
Kutztown threatened early and often on the Vulcans' (1-5, 0-5) net. For the game, KU outshot California 24-0, with nine shots on goal. Three different Golden Bears recorded at least three shots, including Argen, Zwiercan, Maddie Mohr (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area), Sam LaBianca (Beachwood, N.J./Toms River South) and Savanna Harrison (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge). Kristina Miller (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) also had multiple shots, tallying two.
 
Mohr, Alyssa Ryan (North Wales, Pa./Wissahickon), Gabrielle Evans (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area) and Maggie Cecere (Batavia, N.Y./Batavia) all had point-blank chances directly in front of net saved at the last moment by Vulcans goalie Gianna Sinatra, who finished with eight saves.
 
The Kutztown backline did not allow a direct shot to reach Jenna Bracken (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional), who had a much more easy day than against the Marauders when she made a career-high 11 saves. Miller, Courtney Browning (Camp Hill, Pa./Camp Hill), Alisea Munshower (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York), Molly McHarg (Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford) and Erica Monte Carlo (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township) held Cal at bay for 90 minutes. It is the first time this season the KU defense had not allowed a shot, and the first time since the season-opening 1-0 win at Charleston (WV) last season on Aug. 31, 2017.
 
Kutztown had 24 players see action, including the season-debut for Chelsea Fadio (Audubon, N.J./Audubon).
 
The Golden Bears also held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Kutztown has a week off before it hits Keystone Field for a PSAC game against Edinboro next Saturday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m.