KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University women's soccer is coming off a successful 2021 season, recording a program record in conference victories and winning the division. KU will look to accomplish more and win a championship this fall as the 2022 season kicks off later this week.
 
The Golden Bears registered a 17-1-2 record and captured the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East title with a program record 15 league victories (15-1-0, 45 pts.) last year. Head coach Erik Burstein's team went on to earn the top seed in the Atlantic Region and hosted NCAA Tournament first and second round games, but did not win a game in PSACs or NCAAs. But Burstein is looking ahead to this season and looking to improve in all facets of the game.
 
"For me, I am not thinking about championships, I am thinking about progress, always," said Burstein. "We had a great year last year, a memorable year, but that was last year. We have new players; we have different strengths, and we are working on a few different concepts.  If we begin talking about potentially winning the PSAC Tournament, we lose focus on the things we need to be talking about and details get overlooked. We won't do that. This team has incredible potential, and I am extremely excited and confident about what the season has in store for us."
 
The Golden Bears are ranked 13th in the nation, following the release of the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Preseason Poll at the beginning of August. They were also picked to finish first in the PSAC East preseason poll.
 
In his 15th season leading the program, Burstein knows he has another talented group to guide, but also a group that he enjoys being around and teaching. That's what makes it easy each year.
 
"It's easy, the players," said Burstein. "Every player in this program believes in our process, they have bought into our culture, and they are willing to work very hard to meet the standards and expectations we have set here. Being in this environment on a daily basis and having the opportunity to work with these high-level student-athletes is something I value so much. I love being their coach."
 
The Maroon and Gold will be led by their two captains, graduate student Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) and senior Kylee MacLeod (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts). Argen, a three-year captain, started all 20 games as a midfielder last season and finished ranked fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with 10 goals and tied for sixth with five assists. Her 25 points was fifth in the conference. Argen was the PSAC East Athlete of the Year last year, earning First Team All-PSAC honors along the way, including United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team and D2CCA All-America Third Team honors. MacLeod started 19 games as the backbone of the defense. She scored a career-high two goals.
 
Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) started 19-of-20 games played as a defender and was voted All-PSAC First Team and D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team. She had one assist on the year. Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) was another key member of the defense. She was honored on the All-PSAC Second Team and started in 18-of-19 games, finishing with two assists. Emme Wolfel (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) was the main cog in net for KU, starting 14 games as goalie. She had a 12-1-1 overall record and made 33 saves with a 0.63 goals against average. Isabella Rossetti (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) also started in double-digit games, making 10 starts as a forward, finishing second on the team with four goals and added two assists.
 
"I have been very impressed with this group overall," Burstein said. "They are extremely committed to the standards and the expectations we have set, they buy-into everything we are doing, they arrived fit, and they are very focused on some of the new things we are asking them to do from a tactical perspective. Overall, this is a very good group and I have enjoyed working with them immensely. We still have a lot to do, but the competitive attitude and their ability to dig a bit deeper and work a bit harder when asked is special."
 
Once again, the PSAC will be competitive. Every conference game will be a challenge for the Golden Bears. In the preseason poll, West Chester was in a first-place tie with KU, receiving four votes. Defending PSAC champion, Bloomsburg, was picked third, followed by Millersville and East Stroudsburg. Shippensburg, Shepherd, Lock Haven and Mansfield round out the division.
 
"As a conference, the PSAC is one of the most competitive in the country," said Burstein. "The eastern side of the conference, on its own, could be considered one of the strongest in the nation. Every week we are playing excellent teams with supremely talented players and fantastic coaches. It is a war of attrition at times. We have to start fit, injury free and focused on each and every game. We never look ahead."
 
Kutztown's 2022 season begins Thursday, Aug. 25, with a non-conference game at Charleston (W.Va.). The home opener is set for Wednesday, Aug. 31, when KU hosts Shepherd at 7 p.m., at Keystone Field.
 
Follow www.kubears.com for live stats and video links, along with game results and stats for the team.