KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Third-seeded Kutztown field hockey opens up postseason play in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament and will host the sixth seed, Indiana (Pa.), in the quarterfinal round Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 3:30 p.m., from Andre Reed Stadium.
 
The Golden Bears earned the three seed by finishing the regular season with a 15-2 overall record and 7-2 mark in the conference. KU recorded victories over four ranked teams this season, including No. 9 Bloomsburg (Oct. 4), No. 7 Mansfield (Oct. 14), No. 7 West Chester (Oct. 17) and No. 9 Millersville (Oct. 25). The lone losses came at the hands of No. 1 East Stroudsburg (Sept. 26) and No. 2 Shippensburg (Oct. 10), who are the one-two seeds, respectively, in the PSAC Tournament.
 
Kutztown is looking for its first postseason win since 2019 when it reached the PSAC final and the NCAA DII semifinal.
 
"We are so excited to begin post-season play on our home field," said head coach Marci Scheuing. "This team is truly something special this season. The accountability and leadership that these athletes demonstrate are the reason we have had such a successful season to this point. Our defense has been solid, allowing just seven goals all year. We have put ourselves in great position in games this year and hope to continue that tomorrow night."
 
This is the second meeting between the two teams this year with the Maroon and Gold earning the road victory, 5-0, in Indiana, Pa., back on Sept. 30. KU has won the last two matchups, including a 2-0 win on Oct. 22, 2022, at Andre Reed Stadium. The Crimson Hawks (8-7 overall, 4-5 PSAC) lead the overall series 22-12.
 
Kutztown enters the game winners of six straight and ranks second in the PSAC in goals per game (3.6) and is first in goals against (.41). Juliana Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Schalick) is second in the conference with 11 assists. Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), Breann Craley (York, Pa./Central York) and Erin Gonzalez (East Earl, Pa./Garden Spot) all have a team-high seven goals. Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) is at the top of the PSAC in goals against (.436) and shutouts (10).
 
The winner will head to the final four, hosted by top seed, East Stroudsburg, and will take on the second seed, Shippensburg, on Friday afternoon at Whitenight Field.