KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The defending national champion Kutztown field hockey team retains the top spot in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II National Coaches Poll Tuesday, as it leads all of NCAA Division II heading into a No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup against Shippensburg on Wednesday afternoon.

The Golden Bears (5-0) are getting it done on both ends of the field, leading the nation in goals scored while shutting out three of their five opponents. The team is returning to Andre Reed Stadium after two away wins against Southern New Hampshire and Bentley and will look to remain undefeated heading into conference play.

Junior forward Erin Gonzalez (East Earl, Pa./Garden Spot) leads the team with six goals and 18 total points, while graduate defender Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) has four assists for the Golden Bears. Starting goalkeeper Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) has started all five games in the goal, playing two complete games while shutting out No. 5 Saint Anselm to open the season.

The national rankings are filled with PSAC teams, with Kutztown and Shippensburg joined by No. 3 East Stroudsburg, No. 5 Bloomsburg, No. 6 West Chester, No. 8 Millersville, and No. 10 Mansfield, all of whom the Golden Bears will face in conference play.

No. 1 Kutztown will face its toughest test to date against No. 2 Shippensburg at home tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. at Andre Reed Stadium.