KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Kutztown University field hockey team is set to host No. 5 and fourth-seeded West Chester in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) semifinal on Friday, Nov. 7, at 3:00 p.m. at Andre Reed Stadium.

The Golden Bears (18-0, 9-0 PSAC) enter the postseason unbeaten, just two wins away from capturing both the program's first-ever PSAC Championship and most wins in a single season. 

The most recent NCAA Division II Atlantic Region rankings, released Wednesday, once again placed Kutztown at No. 1. The Golden Bears remain atop the region ahead of No. 2 Newberry, No. 3 East Stroudsburg, No. 4 Shippensburg, No. 5 West Chester, No. 6 Bloomsburg, and No. 7 Lander.

Under head coach Marci Scheuing, KU has put together a historic campaign, setting program records for best start to a season, consecutive wins, and single-season goals (95) and assists (64).

This marks Kutztown's seventh consecutive appearance in the PSAC Championship Tournament (excluding the 2020 canceled season) and its 16th all-time PSAC semifinal appearance dating back to 1982. The Golden Bears will look to advance to the conference final for the first time since 2019.

Kutztown and West Chester (13-5, 6-3 PSAC) met earlier this season on Oct. 14, with KU earning a 3-1 home victory. Taylor Vaccaro (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley), Jessica Traynor (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen), and Ellie Myers (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) each found the back of the cage, while freshman goalkeeper Tess Adolf (Lawrence, N.J./Lawrence) recorded five saves in the win. The Bears narrowly outshot the Rams 11-10 and held a 12-8 edge in penalty corners.

West Chester advanced to the semifinals after a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime comeback win over No. 10 IUP in Tuesday's quarterfinal round. After trailing 2-0 in the opening quarter, the Rams rallied to earn their spot in Friday's matchup.

Statistically, Kutztown holds the upper hand on both ends of the field. The Golden Bears lead the PSAC in goals scored (95) and fewest goals allowed (10), while West Chester has tallied 46 goals and conceded 32. Individually, KU senior forward and captain Erin Gonzalez (East Earl, Pa./Garden Spot) leads the conference in goals (17) and points (40), with West Chester's Veerle Heesman close behind (16 goals, 35 points).

Following the 3 p.m. semifinal between Kutztown and West Chester, No. 2 and third-seeded Shippensburg will face No. 4 and second-seeded East Stroudsburg at 5 p.m. The winners of Friday's semifinals will meet in the PSAC Championship Game on Sunday, Nov. 9, at noon, also at Andre Reed Stadium.