KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's soccer team looks to eclipse last season's success in 2024 after showing their strength at both the conference and regional levels of play.

For the Golden Bears, greater success means winning championships, and they were one step from reaching that a season ago. Last year's squad ended the season with a 15-2-5 overall record, including an undefeated regular season, while their 12-0-4 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference was their first undefeated conference season in program history. Kutztown defeated teams in PSAC (Bloomsburg) and NCAA Regional (Concord) postseason competition, but they fell in the second rounds to Gannon (PSAC) and West Chester (NCAA Regionals) to finish their season.

Kutztown looks to overcome the postseason challenge, and reigning PSAC East Coach of the Year Erik Burstein will rely on midfielder Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and defenders Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) to lead a deep team to the top. Burstein recognizes the postseason success from years past but is looking ahead as they look to uncharted territory.

"We have been successful in the post season, but we are obviously looking to win championships," said Burstein. "This is a new year, with new challenges; we aren't looking at the success from last year at all. We must face each game and each challenge as they come up. We are working to improve each day and with each game. We have an excellent squad, and I have great confidence in what they can achieve this year. As long as we stay focused on the plan, execute our roles and responsibilities within our system and style of play, we believe we can achieve something great this season."

Kutztown faces a challenge at the top of the PSAC, as conference rivals West Chester and Gannon advanced further than Kutztown in NCAA Regional play. The PSAC Preseason Poll gave the Golden Bears three of the possible nine first-place votes in the East Division. West Chester was voted first in the division and received five first-place votes, while Gannon was tabbed as the top team in the West and received six out of eight first-place votes.

The Golden Bears open their slate at home, hosting 2023 NCAA Regional qualifier, Concord, on Thursday, Sept. 5, at noon, at Keystone Field. KU will then take on No. 20 Charleston on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m., also at Keystone Field.