KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The Kutztown University women's soccer team (7-3-2, 5-3-2 PSAC EAST) outlasted East Stroudsburg (7-3-2, 5-3-2 PSAC EAST) in a 3-2 thriller at Keystone Field Saturday evening.
East Stroudsburg jumped out to an early lead in the 14th minute before the Golden Bears scored three unanswered goals, including two in a two-minute span to open the second half. The Warriors were able to cut down the lead with a goal in the 66th minute, but couldn't find the equalizer.
Sadie Goad (Reading, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) and Isabella Rossetti (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) were the goal scorers for KU, with an own goal from East Stroudsburg accounting for the third and game-winning goal. Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) registered one assist in the contest as well. Rebecca Kotula and Millie Smith scored the goals for the Warriors.
Emme Wolfel (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) only made two saves in the contest, but both were highlight-reel-worthy. Emmy Clarkson made three saves opposite Wolfel for ESU.
The game started off an even affair, with both teams controlling possession for spells of the game. ESU started to push about 10 minutes into the contest, which eventually resulted in a goal. Tegan Marshall whipped a ball in off a corner, which found the head of Rebecca Kotula for the 1-0 ESU lead in the 13th minute.
KU responded quickly. A chaotic scene in the box saw the ball fall to Sadie Goad (Reading, Pa./Schuylkill Valley), who put it past Clarkson for her first goal of the season to make it 1-1 in the 27th minute.
The Golden Bears kept their foot on the gas after the goal, generating chances and controlling possession. Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) had a great chance to make it 2-1 in the 32nd minute, but the ball was cleared off the line. Mia Champan then had a great chance for ESU, but Wolfel made a spectacular diving save from point-blank range to deny her. That would conclude the first half as the teams were deadlocked at 1-1.
KU started the second half on fire. Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) took a corner in the 47th and found the head of Isabella Rossetti (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East), who put it into the net for the 2-1 lead. It was her fifth goal of the season, which is tied with Argen for the team lead. Two minutes later, a chaotic scene in the ESU box resulted in an own goal, which made it 3-1 KU.
The Warriors pushed for a goal to get back into the game. Abby James had a clear-cut look at the goal in the 66th minute, but Kylee MacLeod (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) came to the rescue, sliding across to deny James of a sure goal. Seconds later, Millie Smith rocketed a ball into the upper right hand corner to make it 3-2.
Despite the second goal for ESU, the Golden Bears were able to lock down. Wolfel was called into action again in the 79th minute, but was able to make the save on Smith. The Warriors couldn't generate any more chances as KU held on for the 3-2 win.
It's a massive win for Erik Burstein's Golden Bears, who are now unbeaten in the last five games. KU is also 3-0-1 in the last four meetings against ESU.
The Golden Bears are back at Keystone Field this Wednesday, Oct. 12 against Bloomsburg. That game will kick off at 3 p.m.
