KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The seventh-ranked Kutztown University women's soccer team (7-0-3, 6-0-2 PSAC East) recorded its second multi-goal win of the season, downing Mansfield (3-5-1, 2-4-1 PSAC East) 2-0 at Keystone Field Saturday afternoon. It was also the Golden Bears' fourth clean sheet of the season and their third in the last four games.
Despite some changes in the starting lineup from head coach Erik Burstein, the usual suspects were on the scoresheet yet again. Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) rifled home her fourth goal of the season in the 28th minute to make it 1-0. The Grantville, Pa. uncorked one from well outside the box, finding the upper corner in a similar fashion to her first collegiate goal against West Chester earlier in the season.
The Golden Bears dominated the first half, outshooting the Mounties 7-0. KU was rewarded for its efforts four minutes into the second frame. Allie Tierney (Galloway, N.J./Absegami) lofted in a corner kick that was headed towards goal by Skyler Jordan (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) and chested home by Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) for her second goal of the season and KU's second of the day.
The Mounties did not go quietly in the match, applying some serious pressure with seven corner kick chances in the final 15 minutes. Mansfield got one really good look at goal in the 78th, but Danielle Drain's shot that was headed for the top corner was stonewalled by Cassandra Baker (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin). It was Baker's only save in between the sticks for KU in the match as the Golden Bears held on for the 2-0 win.
Along with her goal, McDonald caused a lot of issues for the Mansfield back line when she entered the match, leading the way for KU with three shots, two of which were on goal. Economopoulos and Isabella Rossetti (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) were the other Golden Bears with two shots in the game. Drain and Quelyn Nepa were the only offensive threats for Mansfield, accounting for a combined three shots, one of which was on goal.
The win improves KU's all-time record against the Mounties to 26-1-1 dating back to 2002. The Golden Bears are also the first team to eclipse 20 points in the PSAC East this season and have a five-point gap on second-place West Chester.
KU has the week off before returning to Keystone Field next Saturday, Oct. 7 against Lock Haven. That game will kick off at noon.
