KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The No. 7 Kutztown University women's soccer team (10-0-4, 9-0-3 PSAC East) extended its shutout streak to six games in a scoreless draw against West Chester (8-3-2, 8-3-1 PSAC East) Wednesday night at Keystone Field.
It was a physical battle between the two bitter rivals, but neither team could generate any real scoring chances. The Golden Bear defense, led by the efforts of the reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and sophomore center back Skyler Jordan (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth), did a spectacular job of limiting the high-powered Golden Ram offense. Dating back to the last goal the Golden Bears allowed against Shepherd on Sept. 23, KU's shutout streak sits at 611:22 minutes of gameplay, which is just over 10 hours.
Both teams had nine shots in the game, with KU holding the slim 5-3 shots on goal advantage. The Golden Bears had the only two corners in the game, with one coming in each half.
Cassandra Baker (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) recorded her eighth clean sheet of the season, making three saves in the win. In 13 appearances this season, the senior from Harrisburg has only allowed five goals for a goals-against-average of .385, which is the best in the PSAC. Her eight shutouts this season are also tied for the second-most in the PSAC, and tied for the fourth-most in a season in KU history.
Offensively, Joslyn Stoltz (Levittown, Pa./Calvary Christian Academy) led the way with three shots on goal, all of which came from distance. Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and Sydney Cole (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) were the other Golden Bears with a shot on goal. Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) had two shots in the game and was the most dangerous attacker on the wing for KU in the contest.
Grace Keen made five saves in goal for West Chester. Jacqueline Hug, Victoria Pungello, and Kaitlyn Haughey were the Golden Rams to put a shot on goal in the game.
After dropping four straight games to West Chester entering this season, the Golden Bears earned four out of a possible six points against the Golden Rams this regular season. KU clinched a spot in the PSAC Tournament after Saturday's win against Shippensburg and is still in first place in the PSAC East. The top four of the PSAC East looks to be set as the final stretch of the season approaches, with West Chester, East Stroudsburg, and Bloomsburg rounding it out. Fifth place Millersville trails Bloomsburg by seven points with four games left to play.
The Golden Bears will look to further solidify their hold on the No. 1 seed this weekend as KU hosts Shepherd on Saturday, Oct. 21 at noon. It's also Senior Day, where KU will honor 17 members of the women's soccer program.
