GAFFNEY, S.C. – It was the number one goal that head coach Marci Scheuing and the Kutztown field hockey team had since August. Defending its title and running it back has been at the forefront of the program since day one of the 2024 campaign, and KU is one win away from accomplishing the mission.
 
After their thrilling 4-3 victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion and top-ranked Shippensburg in the semifinal round on Friday afternoon, the third-ranked and fourth-seeded Golden Bears (16-5 overall) are one win shy of winning their second straight NCAA championship. They meet No. 8 and the seventh seed, Saint Anselm, a 3-0 winner over East Stroudsburg in the other semifinal, on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m., from Limestone University's Saints Field.
 
Kutztown is looking to become just the fifth school in DII history to earn back-to-back field hockey titles and the first since the Raiders won three consecutive from 2016-18. KU is making its third national championship game appearance in program history, having lost to Bloomsburg in 1997, before winning it all over the reigning champ, East Stroudsburg in 2023. Saint Anselm is making its second appearance in the national championship, looking to bring home its first title.
 
The 2024 regular season began with the Maroon and Gold taking on the Hawks (17-6) and the year will conclude with the two teams squaring off on the field. Kutztown defeated Saint A's 4-0 back on Sept. 5, at Andre Reed Stadium.
 
All-PSAC Second Teamer, Erin Gonzalez (East Earl, Pa./Garden Spot), led the offense with two goals against Ship in the semis. She tops Kutztown with 31 points and is tied for fourth in the conference with 13 goals. Juliana Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Schalick), an All-PSAC First Teamer, scored for the second straight game as her goal proved to be the game-winner. Her 30 career assists ranks third all-time in program history. First Team All-PSAC defender, Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), and All-PSAC Third Team midfielder, Grace Harrold (York, Pa./Central York), both contributed an assist Friday. Second Team defender Danielle Panati (West Chester, Pa./Unionville), along with graduate student goalie Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) and freshman defender Marlee Fetrow (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone), helped contain a high-powered Raiders offense and allowed their team to hold on in a frantic ending.
 
Sophomore midfielder Jessica Traynor (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) also found the back of the cage in Friday's semifinal and has performed like an All-PSAC performer all season, recording a career-high seven goals, second-most on the team with Greenleigh McGehee (New Tripoli, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh).
 
The Hawks were runners-up to Assumption in the NE10 championship game, but then upset the No. 2 Greyhounds, 3-2, in the quarterfinal round, before earning another upset against the Warriors to reach their first championship game since 2019.
 
Both Amanda Lewandowski and Maddie Davis led the offensive charge for the Hawks, combining for 23 goals. The dynamic scoring duo joined back Grace Michael in earning All-NE10 First Team honors. Sidney Falterer started every game in goal for the Hawks, posting a 15-5 record and coming off that impressive shutout against East Stroudsburg, making four saves.

Hem's hunch: 3-2 victory for the Golden Bears.
 
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