CROYDON, Pa. -- The Kutztown University women's bowling team maximized its opportunities on Sunday at the Northeast Classic, winning three best-of-7 Baker series, including two over nationally-ranked opponents, to take 17th in the final standings at AMF Bristol Pike Lanes.
The Golden Bears entered bracket play seeded 20th and quickly disposed of 15th-ranked Maryville in the teams' first-ever meeting with a 4-0 sweep. KU's (29-29) lineup of
Lindsey Gotwalt (Hanover, Md./Meade),
Ashley Fister (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy),
Dana Henry (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township),
Rachel Wagner (Cheektowaga, NY/Depew) and
Madison Burkert (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) were composed in close games, winning all four by 30 pins or less and the decisive fourth game by a mere two pins, 187-185.
The same quintet took on Medaille in Kutztown's second series, but after winning game one 181-154, the Maroon and Gold fell into a hole by dropping three straight. The Bears bounced back with a hard-fought 157-147 win in game five and forced a seventh game with a 166-139 triumph in game six. With the match on the line, KU came through with its best game of the series in a 215-140 victory.
In a Northeast Classic field featuring 17 teams ranked in the NTCA Top 25, KU harnessed its chance to finish as high as possible with a 4-1 win over No. 20 Lincoln Memorial. Freshman
Eleni Feggulis (South River, N.J./South River) was tagged to join Gotwalt, Fister, Henry and Burkert in coach
Angela Reynolds' starting five. KU won the first three games and after falling in game four, put the match away with its high game of the day in a runaway 237-155 win.
Kutztown finished a strong weekend with four head-to-head wins over top 25 opponents and ahead of three nationally-ranked teams in the final standings.
The Golden Bears will be close to home for their next tournament, Bowl for a Cure, at Jay Lanes in Douglassville, Feb. 1-2.
