KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Thanks to goals from
Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) and
Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South), the No. 1 Kutztown University women's soccer team (14-0-5, 12-0-4 PSAC East) downed No. 4 Bloomsburg (8-6-5, 8-4-4) 2-0 Monday night at Keystone Field to advance to the PSAC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2017.
It was another tight contest between the Golden Bears and Huskies before a moment of brilliance from Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. The senior midfielder dispossessed a Huskie on the right wing and cut across the 18-yard box, firing the ball back across the goalie and into the bottom corner for the 1-0 lead. It was the Medford, N.J. native's team-leading eighth goal of the season.
The battle continued into the second half before Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) put the nail in the coffin in the 73rd minute. As she typically does, the center-back found herself on the end of a scramble in the box off a corner kick. The Warrington native tucked the ball into the bottom left-hand corner for her fifth goal of the season. Bloomsburg pushed to get back into the game, but Cassandra Baker (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) and the Golden Bear defense of Curtis, Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Skyler Jordan (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth), and Maura Day (Huntington Valley, Pa./Abington) were up to the task, shutting out Bloomsburg for the third time in 2023.
The Golden Bears outshot the Huskies 10-9 in the contest, including a slim 5-4 shots on goal advantage. KU also had seven corner kicks compared to Bloomsburg's five. Curtis and Endres both led the way with two shots on goal, while Joslyn Stoltz (Levittown, Pa./Calvary Christian Academy) also put one on frame. Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) had three shots, while Jordan and Isabella Rossetti (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) had one shot apiece. Baker made four saves in goal for KU, while Alexa Ryan made three for Bloomsburg.
It's a massive win for Erik Burstein's Golden Bears, as they exorcize demons from the previous six years of PSAC Tournament heartbreak. The PSAC Tournament runs through Keystone Field, as KU will host the Semifinals and Championship Game as the No. 1 seed.
The Golden Bears' PSAC semifinal opponent will be Gannon, who rallied to beat Slippery Rock 4-2 Monday night. Kick-off is at 6 p.m. The two teams matched up last season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with Endres scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win.
Mercyhurst and West Chester will face off in the other semifinal at 3 p.m. Both those games will take place on Friday, Nov. 10 at Keystone Field. Regardless of who advances, the PSAC Championship will take place at Keystone Field on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.
