KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Olivia Blasone (East Berlin, Pa./Bermudian Springs) and Jillian Buchman (Drums, Pa./Hazleton) combine for three goals in two quarters to push fifth-ranked Kutztown University to a 3-0 lead. The KU defense held on late after two goals and KU was able to secure its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference victory, winning 3-2 over Mansfield Saturday night at Andre Reed Stadium.
 
The Golden Bears (8-2 overall, 1-1 PSAC) have now won their last two games, both this week, after losing their first two games of the regular season, back-to-back, last week.
 
After a slow first quarter for both teams, Blasone broke the deadlock with her fifth goal of the season 2:52 into the second quarter, on an assist by Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), her team-leading eighth on the year. The junior defender ranks second in the PSAC in assists.
 
Then 3:17 after the opener, Buchman notched her first of two goals on the night by finishing in front of cage on a pass by Rachel Dusman (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg). Dusman is one point shy of 100 for her career. Just over three minutes after halftime, Buchman extended the Maroon and Gold advantage to three goals with her second after a nifty pass by Juliana Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Schalick).
 
Playing with a three goal lead into the fourth quarter, it looked all but over. But the Mounties (5-5, 0-2) began a comeback effort. Goals by Saramae Radel and Olivia Wagner within 2:44 of each other cut their deficit to just one goal with 9:23 to go and plenty of momentum.
 
But Katie Dotterweich (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone), who finished with two saves and earned the victory in cage, and the KU defense held firm.
 
Kutztown next squares off with third-ranked and undefeated Shippensburg on Tuesday, Oct. 11, on the road for a 4 p.m. game.

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