MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's soccer team took its shot at defeating its fourth consecutive opponent, but the Millersville Marauders locked in as the two teams played to a 0-0 draw at Pucillo Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division play on Wednesday night.
The Golden Bears (8-3-1, 6-3-1 PSAC East) took part in another challenging PSAC women's soccer battle that featured a number of fouls and a pair of yellow cards from rough play, as well as a heavy dose of challenging defense on both sides of the ball. The Marauders (4-5-3, 3-4-3 PSAC East) were up to the challenge brought on by the visiting team, as they were able to hand KU its first draw of the season.
It was tough to get any offense opportunities on the Kutztown side, due in large part to Millersville limiting the shooting of junior Corinne Morgan (Port Republic, N.J./Cedar Creek), who took just two shots on goal and three total shots on the night. Fellow forward Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) had one off-target shot, while midfielder Maura Day (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Abington) put a pair of shots up, with one landing on frame.
Kutztown made it an even tougher task for the Marauders to attack in the offensive zone, as the Golden Bear defensive unit allowed five total shots, with just one first-half attempt being taken on goal.
The Maroon and Gold kept a majority of its starters on the pitch for the entire match, as head coach Erik Burstein relied on just one player – freshman midfielder Emma Gonzalez (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) – off the bench throughout the 90-minute contest. The Pottstown, Pa., native was effective in game action, attempting a shot late in the first half while doing her part to help the Golden Bears keep the game even.
Both goalkeepers had solid games in their respective shutout performances. Millersville goalkeeper Sabrina Zimmerman logged four saves while facing nine Kutztown shots (four on goal). Reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week Morgan O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) tallied one save in her fifth shutout of the season, relying on a strong defensive effort in front of the box to limit the Millersville offense to five total shots.
Kutztown held the edge in shots (10-5), shots on goal (4-1) and corners (12-8).
The draw adds a point to Kutztown's PSAC East-leading total of 18 it had at the beginning of the day. The Golden Bears began Wednesday holding a one-point advantage over second-place Bloomsburg in the East Division standings. Millersville, who entered the day fifth, gains a point after entering the day three points behind fourth-place Shepherd for the last postseason spot with four games remaining.
The Golden Bears will look to avenge a loss from earlier this season as it sets its sights on PSAC East rival West Chester, who will come into Keystone Field for a Wednesday night matchup on October 22, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
