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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The 2019 season was unlike many others for the Kutztown University field hockey program. KU looks to build upon that historic season in 2021, two years removed from last playing in an NCAA game.
 
Having missed the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Golden Bears are eager to build upon their 2019 success, which included a 15-7 record, a regular spot in the NFHCA Division II national rankings, a PSAC runner-up finish and a trip to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Kutztown enters the 2021 campaign ranked No. 5 in DII and was voted fourth in the PSAC preseason poll.
 
"The 2019 season was such an amazing experience in so many ways," said eighth-year head coach Marci Scheuing. "It was such a great group to coach, and I will always hold that season in a special place in my memories. The success of that season has also led us to be able to land some great talent, not only on our current roster, but recruits that will be coming in the next two years as well. The future of the Kutztown field hockey program looks very bright."
 
Kutztown has added numbers and quality depth at all four facets of the field (forward, midfield, defense, goalie). Scheuing feels that she can field a quality full unit even behind the starting 11.
 
"The difference of our 2021 team and the team from 2019 is the depth we have available to us," Scheuing said. "I believe the strength of our current team will be the team chemistry and how deep we can go into our bench and the unbelievable talent that is there waiting to make an impact. We are very excited to get the 2021 season going. We looked great in camp and our scrimmages. We look fast, athletic, and very skilled. We are young, but deep and we can't wait to see what this group can accomplish."
 
Scheuing has a solid returning core of student-athletes who have played prominent roles in KU's recent success, led by All-American defender Leigh Roselli (Romansville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan). Rachel Dusman (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg), the 2018 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and a two-time all-conference forward, and Alyssa Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Cumberland Regional), a 10-goal scorer that received All-PSAC honors in 2019, are also back. It'll be a unique year for many Golden Bear teams as they welcome two incoming classes of players (2020 and 2021) that have yet to partake in a regular season collegiate game.
 
The KU offense, which was top-five in the PSAC in goals scored in 2019 (53), is primed to continue to find the back of the cage with this year's unit, led by breakout candidate in senior Izzy Radel (Harveys Lake, Pa./Lake-Lehman).
 
"Izzy is primed to have a breakout season," said Scheuing. "The energy that she brings on the field every single day is unmatched. Her shooting looks great and is a very big threat in the circle. Jillian Buchman (Drums, Pa./Hazleton) will be one of the fastest players in the country this year. She uses her speed in a smart way and is very dangerous in front of a goalie. Kasey Elliott (Dover, Pa./Red Land), Sydney Reinisch (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa), Megan Doyle (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) and Camryn Eveler (Dallastown, Pa./Dallastown) have all looked strong and ready to go through preseason."
 
Donato, a graduate student, and the senior Dusman will lead a talented and athletic midfield group, arguably KU's best unit. Senior Olivia Blasone (East Berlin, Pa./Bermudian Springs) is a returning contributor who shows her prowess in the defensive midfield role. Scheuing is excited about the play of her underclassmen midfielders and is comfortable putting them in key game situations from the get-go.
 
"The offensive midfield is loaded with talent," Scheuing said. "Alyssa is back for her final season and her shot looks stronger than ever. We are excited to have someone with her scoring ability in the midfield. Rachel has moved back to midfield and has provided great leadership and unbelievable fitness to that position. She is as athletic as they come and will be able to control the flow of the game in the midfield. Breann Craley (York, Pa./Central York) and Andie Sierer (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) both have outstanding stick skills and receiving ability. They can both also score on the offensive side of the ball.  They have both proven themselves and will be a large part of our midfield this season.
 
"The biggest surprise out of preseason was freshman Juliana Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Schalick). She will be rotating between the forward and midfield positions, but she is an absolute star in the making. We are very excited about her young talent. Our defensive midfield is led by Liv (Blasone). She is such a dynamic player that makes great plays all over the field. She will be supported by a very deep group of great athletes: Abby Thorius (Strasburg, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg), Laura Taschner (Newark, Del./Tower Hill School), and Greenleigh McGehee (New Tripoli, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh). Alyssa Eager (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) is a utility player that can go anywhere on the field and do whatever is asked of her. She is a great athlete with a high-level of game-sense. We are excited with what she has shown us since she arrived at KU.  Shannon Barrett (Shavertown, Pa./Dallas), Lauren O'Neill, and Abby Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa./Northampton) all bring unique strengths to the midfield and will be called upon to use those strengths this season."
 
Roselli and senior Juliana Borisow (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) will be at the heart of the defense. Sophomore Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) has won the third starting role and will line up next to the two experienced upperclassmen.
 
"I am so excited to have our All-American left defender back for her final season," said Scheuing. "She will provide great leadership and skill out of the backfield. Jules is in the best shape of her life and is primed for another great season at right back. Sarah is slated to be the starting center back. She is a very strong player from a strong program at Wilson and has great skills and patience for her age. Danielle Panati (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) and Sydney Stupka (New Cumberland, Pa./Red Land) have also looked great and provide depth in the back. Julia Amoroso (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) and Katie Keating (Elverson, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) will also be a core part of our solid defensive line.
 
Senior Katie Dotterweich (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) will be the last line of defense for the Maroon and Gold. She started 10-of-11 games played in 2019 and has impressed Scheuing so far this year.
 
"Katie has all of the tools and has looked great in preseason," Scheuing said. "We believe she is primed for an outstanding season. Cat Wilson (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) and Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) will provide solid backup."
 
The Golden Bears will open their 2021 season against Southern Connecticut State at the Dr. Art DeGenaro Classic hosted by Mansfield University on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. The home-opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m., against Mansfield.