KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The 17th-ranked Kutztown University women's soccer team bounced back in a big way on Saturday afternoon, defeating the East Stroudsburg Warriors 2-0 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division play at Keystone Field.
The Golden Bears (5-1, 3-1 PSAC East) faced a Warriors (1-1-3, 0-1-3 PSAC East) team that had been able to hold its own against its early opponents, but when it came to its rival on this sunny afternoon, it was Kutztown's speed and will that lifted them over ESU to deliver its first loss of the year.
In the midst of endless Kutztown pressure came two goals from the team's leading scorer, junior
Corinne Morgan (Port Republic, N.J./Cedar Creek). A 14th-minute tally went across the face of the goal before landing in the side of the net, while a foul in the box granted the striker a free attempt in the second frame, one she buried easily to extend the team's advantage.
Overall, Kutztown's pressure was evident in 21 total shots from the home squad, 12 coming in the latter half of its victory. The Golden Bears sent in nine corners to keep the Warriors off balance, and ESU goalkeeper Ava Perrone made nine saves to keep the Warriors in the game.
KU's offense was looking to hit from anywhere, led by Morgan (5 shots, all on target), junior
Maura Day (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Abington) (5 shots, 2 on target), and
Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) (3 shots), who were featured contributors for a team in the driver's seat to contend in the PSAC East.
Defensively, junior backstop
Morgan O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) made four saves and had her second shutout of the season, while the chippy play forced the Warriors into eight fouls and half of its shots landing off target.
The Golden Bears are on the road for the next two games, first traveling south to West Chester on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m., before heading west to Shippensburg on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m.
