KUTZTOWN, Pa. – No. 20 Kutztown opened the 2026 season in jaw-dropping fashion Saturday, delivering a defensive clinic in a dominant 14-1 non-conference victory over IUP at Keystone Field.
The performance was historic. The Golden Bears held an opponent to a single goal for the first time since an 18-1 win over Felician on March 4, 2017, and just the third time in program history since lacrosse returned to KU in 2008. The only other occurrence came nearly 16 years ago in a 27-1 rout of Erskine on March 20, 2010.
IUP (0-1) managed just one tally with 23 seconds left in the first quarter before the Crimson Hawks were completely shut down. Senior goalkeeper
Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) was a wall in the cage, turning aside 10 shots, while senior defender
Rowan Hall (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern) wreaked havoc on IUP's attack with six caused turnovers and seven ground balls in her season debut.
The Golden Bears (1-0) set the tone early and never let up.
Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western), playing in her first game back after missing last season due to injury, got Kutztown on the board just 1:23 into the game, sparking a first-quarter flurry.
Sophie Engelhardt (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) followed at the 8:56 mark, then
Alexis Plesic (Hanover, Pa./South Western) struck 46 seconds later to cap a decisive opening frame.
From there, the offensive onslaught was relentless and balanced. Eight different Golden Bears found the back of the net, led by hat tricks from Engelhardt and Plesic. Yocum and
Sammy Ruwet (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) each added two goals, while
Isabella Montuori (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot),
Lauren LaMorte (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip),
Maddie Wagner (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) and
Madison Wenner (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City) contributed single tallies. LaMorte paced the team with two assists, and Hall notched her first career helper.
Kutztown dominated every facet of the game.
Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional) led the way in the draw circle, winning five of the team's 11 draw controls. The Bears were surgical on offense, converting 14 of 22 shots on goal, while the defense forced a staggering 19 turnovers to keep IUP's attack at bay throughout the afternoon.
Kutztown returns to action Wednesday, Feb. 25, hosting Frostburg State at 4 p.m. on Keystone Field.
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