KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's soccer team opened up its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division schedule this past week, going 2-0 in conference play and elevating its place in the United Soccer Coaches Division II National Poll six spots to No. 17 ahead of a conference championship rematch against Shepherd at Keystone Field on Wednesday night.

Despite beginning the year unranked in the polls, the Golden Bears (4-0, 2-0 PSAC East) made itself known with an offensive surge that complemented its typical stellar defense. Through four games, the Maroon and Gold have scored 16 goals while allowing just three scores through the net.

The Golden Bears boast winners of PSAC weekly awards in each of the first two weeks of the season, as forward Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) was named the PSAC East Athlete of the Week in week one, while goalkeeper Morgan O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) was selected as the PSAC East Defender of the Week in the second week. Both have had stellar performances throughout the young season, as McDonald is tied for second in the conference in goals, while O'Donnell is among the PSAC's best keepers with a .781 goals against average.

Kutztown is one of three PSAC schools ranked in this week's polls, behind No. 9 Gannon and ahead of No. 22 Bloomsburg. Shepherd, West Chester and Indiana (Pa.) are all receiving votes.

The Golden Bears host a pair of games this week at Keystone Field, as Shepherd will come to town for a 7 pm kickoff, followed by a Saturday afternoon matchup against East Stroudsburg on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.