ERIE, Pa. –
Corinne Morgan (Port Republic, N.J./Cedar Creek) scored two goals, tying the score and then giving Kutztown women's soccer a lead in the middle of the second half, but No. 14 Shepherd stormed back in a flurry with two goals in a span of 0:44 late to claim a 3-2 victory Sunday afternoon in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game at Gannon University.
The Golden Bears (11-4-6 overall) were playing in the PSAC final for the seventh time in program history and fifth under head coach
Erik Burstein after upsetting the host and fifth-ranked Golden Knights 2-1 on Friday afternoon in the semifinal round. They were looking for their first ever PSAC title, but fell just short of that goal.
The Rams (16-1-4) were first on the scoreboard as Sarah Peternel lined a low shot that found the back of the net, 18 minutes in. But KU was not behind for long as Morgan's team-leading ninth goal of the season also was smashed to the lower corner of the net 6:23 later to tie the score at 1-1. Morgan's first goal broke a tie with
Isabella Rossetti (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) for the team lead and was tied for sixth-most in the conference. That score would remain the same into halftime.
Morgan then added to her total and raced onto a pass by
Joslyn Stoltz (Levittown, Pa./Calvary Christian Academy) to capitalize on a Shepherd turnover on its half of the field. The Rams goalie came out of her net to try and get to the pass before Morgan, but the sophomore beat her to the ball and tapped it past her and into the back of the net for the 2-1 advantage in the 66th minute.
But from there, the tide turned and it happened quickly as the Rams scored two goals in a span of just 0:44, both coming late in the game. Josie Beezel recorded hers right at the 80th minute, and then Peternel netted her second 0:44 later with 9:19 left to play. Their defense then held firm and kept the Golden Bears out of the net the rest of the way to take home the championship.
Cassidy Howes (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) finished with one save in net for KU.
Kutztown will now turn its attention to the NCAA Division II Tournament with the selection show set for tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m.
