EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Third-seeded Kutztown Field Hockey was back in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference semifinal round for the second straight season, and for the second year in-a-row, the semis were unkind. Second-seeded Shippensburg got a late winner in the first overtime period by the conference's leading goal scorer, Tess Jedeloo, and the Raiders downed KU 1-0 Friday afternoon at East Stroudsburg University's Whitenight Field.
 
The Golden Bears (16-3 overall) were prepared and ready to take on the Atlantic Region's top ranked team. They had more of the scoring chances, 21-13 in overall shots and 13-6 in penalty corners, and also controlled much of the possession. But the Maroon and Gold just could not find the back of the cage as the Raiders (15-3) goalie, Emma Albee, finished with 12 saves, the second-most she's had to make this season, and was a brick wall for the Kutztown attack.
 
But with just 2:48 left in the first overtime, Jedeloo received the ball near the top of the circle, made a few turns and dribbles and fired the ball towards cage that snuck in for the game-winner.
 
Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) made six saves for KU and was just as stout, keeping her team in the game. She was helped by defenders Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), Alyssa Eager (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and Danielle Panati (West Chester, Pa./Unionville).
 
It's the second game this season between two of the top three teams in the PSAC and the Atlantic Region that was decided by just one goal. Ship defeated KU 3-2 back on Oct. 10.
 
Friday's semifinal games were a day of overtimes as the top seed, East Stroudsburg, took the fourth seed, Mansfield, to overtime after trailing 2-1 late in the fourth quarter. The Warriors won 3-2 in overtime and are in Sunday's championship game against Shippensburg.
 
Kutztown will now await its fate to see if it has a strong enough resume to make the NCAA DII Tournament, which begins next Saturday, Nov. 11. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for 3 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 6. Go to the NCAA website (ncaa.com) and select DII Field Hockey to find the link to the show on Monday afternoon.

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