DEPTFORD, N.J. -- Kutztown University bowling hit the lanes for the first time in 2023, Friday, and was greeted with its toughest competition of the season at the Northeast Classic hosted by Sacred Heart University at Bowlero Deptford.

The Golden Bears defeated Adelphi, but fell to three nationally-ranked opponents in No. 7 Youngstown State, No. 19 Medaille and No. 3 Vanderbilt, along with New Jersey City in Baker format play.

This weekend's field is loaded with ranked teams, and Kutztown (18-17) is scheduled to face four more on Saturday, including No. 1 McKendree.

Youngstown State captured all five games to down the Bears in their first match of the day, 1077-760, but KU responded with Alyssa Blood (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone), Megan Hanaway (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township), Ally Sipe (York, Pa./Central York), Madison Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) and Chloe Sromovski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) teaming up to down Adelphi, 866-763.

Kutztown took the first three games off the Panthers en route to the victory, highlighted by a 203 in the opening game.

The Maroon and Gold were poised to knock off No. 19 Medaille, using a 226 in game three and a 38-pin advantage in a 207-169 fourth game win to lead by two going into the finale. Medaille rolled a 213 and outscored the Bears by 36, to pull out a 976-942 result.

KU's highest-scoring game of the day came against third-ranked Vanderbilt with a 245 in the second. That performance allowed the Bears to draw within five, 410-405, but the Dores separated themselves in the third, getting 10 consecutive strikes on their way to a 289. Vandy went on to the 1102-937 win.

NJCU won three of the first four games and held off a late Kutztown comeback bid to take the final match of the day for both teams, 876-842.

Kutztown averaged 173.9 for the day with a 4,347 pin total, good for 26th of 33 competing teams. In total, 22 of the top 25 teams in the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) national poll are in action at the Northeast Classic, along with three others who are receiving votes.

As the schedule turns to traditional play Saturday, the Golden Bears are scheduled to face No. 20 Central Missouri, No. 17 Tulane, No. 23 Wisconsin-Whitewater, No. 1 McKendree and Mount Aloysius starting at 9:30 a.m.