KUTZTOWN, Pa. – In a rematch of the last game played at Andre Reed Stadium in 2024, the result remained the same as No. 1 Kutztown defeated No. 8 Southern New Hampshire 9-2 Thursday afternoon in the season opener for both teams and a non-conference matchup. The game was made official with 4:52 remaining after lightning suspended play for nearly 30 minutes.
 
The last time the Golden Bears (1-0 overall) were on their home turf, they won a dramatic, 2-1, double overtime game in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
 
Kutztown and head coach Marci Scheuing were able to accomplish a lot in the opening game as eight different players found the back of the cage, including seven starters. The offense was led by sophomore defender Marlee Fetrow (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone), who finished with a career-high two goals, both coming off penalty corners. Fetrow also tied a team-best with two assists for a four-point game. Senior Sierra Jester (Felton, Del./Lake Forest) also tallied two assists.
 
The nine goals is the most scored in a game since the Maroon and Gold netted 11 back on Oct. 15, 2022.
 
The Golden Bears took complete control of the game in the second quarter when they recorded five goals and took a 7-0 lead into halftime. Scheuing was able to empty her bench as every healthy player got into the game. Freshman Tess Adolf (Lawrence, N.J./Lawrence) started in goal and senior Alaina Telenko (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) played the second half in cage and finished with two saves.
 
Senior Erin Gonzalez (East Earl, Pa./Garden Spot) got the scoring going 11:20 into the contest off an assist by Jester. Sophomore Ellie Myers (Denver, Pa./Cocalico), a transfer from Division I Albany, scored 1:17 later to extend the lead to 2-0. Grace Harrold (York, Pa./Central York), Marissa Rice (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg), Bree Zoccolo (Lititz, Pa./Warwick), Olivia Kirkpatrick (Annville, Pa./Palmyra) and Fetrow each netted a goal in the second quarter.
 
Sophomore transfer Taylor Vaccaro (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley) was the eighth different Golden Bear to find the back of the cage, hers coming 6:17 into the third quarter. Fetrow rounded out the scoring with her second goal of the game 2:45 into the fourth on a rip off a corner by Gonzalez.
 
Kutztown had an 18-1 advantage in penalty corners.
 
Kutztown travels to Mansfield this weekend to compete in the Mansfield Fall Classic. KU will first take on Southern Connecticut State this Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2 p.m. The Golden Bears then play Saint Michael's on Sunday at 11 a.m., to conclude the Fall Classic.

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