KUTZTOWN, Pa. – No. 17 Kutztown battled to keep it within reach against No. 10 East Stroudsburg Wednesday afternoon at Keystone Field, but the undefeated Warriors broke the game open with a five-goal fourth quarter to hand the Golden Bears their first conference loss of the season, 16-6.
Kutztown (4-2, 0-1 PSAC East) kept the pressure on early, trailing just 5-2 after the first quarter. The Golden Bears clawed back in the second, cutting the deficit to 7-4 before East Stroudsburg (6-0, 1-0 PSAC East) found separation heading into halftime with a 10-5 lead.
The third quarter saw both teams trade goals, with Kutztown matching ESU 1-1 to make it 11-6. But the Warriors seized control in the fourth, posting five unanswered goals to pull away for the 16-6 victory.
Despite the margin on the scoreboard, the Golden Bears fought hard defensively. Three Kutztown defenders—
Avery Hershey (Denver, Pa./Cocalico),
Madison Wenner (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City), and
Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional)—each forced two turnovers, while senior
Rowan Hall (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern) led all players with four ground balls. Hershey and Wenner each added two ground balls as well.
In goal,
Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) and freshman
Camryn Storey (Hanover, Pa./South Western) combined for seven saves. Bragg played the first 47 minutes before Storey took over for the final 13.
The Bears won the turnover battle, committing just 13 to East Stroudsburg's 16, and stayed competitive in the ground ball battle with 14Â to the Warriors' 16.
Offensively, Wenner led Kutztown with a hat trick.
Isabella Montuori (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot),
Sophie Engelhardt (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley), and
Maddie Wagner (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) each added a goal, with
Alexis Plesic (Hanover, Pa./South Western) dishing the Bears' lone assist on Wagner's tally. The shots on goal were relatively close, Kutztown put 15 on frame compared to ESU's 23, though the Warriors held a decisive 43-20 edge in total shots.
Reigning PSAC East Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week and USA Lacrosse Magazine Division II National Player of the Week
Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western) led the draw circle alongside Davis, each winning three of Kutztown's seven draw controls.
The loss marks Kutztown's second of the season, with both defeats coming against nationally ranked opponents. The Golden Bears return to action Saturday, March 14, hosting Shippensburg at noon on Keystone Field for more PSAC East action.
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