KUTZTOWN, Pa. – No. 17 Kutztown jumped out to a commanding 10-1 halftime lead and held off a Shippensburg rally in the second half to secure their first conference victory of the 2026 season, 12-9, Saturday afternoon at Keystone Field.
The Golden Bears (5-2, 1-1 PSAC East) wasted no time getting on the board.
Alexis Plesic (Hanover, Pa./South Western) struck just 30 seconds into the game, sparking an 8-0 run that carried into the second quarter.
Kutztown's offense was relentless in the opening frame, pouring in six goals while the defense completely shut down the Raiders (4-2, 1-1 PSAC East). Freshman
Antonia Troilo (Laurel Springs, N.J./Sterling) scored unassisted, followed by
Lauren LaMorte (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) finishing a Troilo feed for the third goal. Reigning USA Lacrosse Magazine Division II National Player of the Week
Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western) added the fourth off a pass from
Sammy Ruwet (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional), and
Madison Wenner (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City) capped the first quarter with back-to-back goals to send the Bears into the second up 6-0.
The run continued early in the second.
Maddie Wagner (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) converted a feed from Plesic, and Ruwet added an unassisted tally at 8:51 before Shippensburg finally broke through at 4:32 for their lone goal of the half. LaMorte and Wagner traded goals and assists in the final minute to push Kutztown's advantage to 10-1 at the break.
The second half belonged to Shippensburg. The Raiders stormed back with four unanswered goals in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 10-5, then continued the momentum into the fourth, outscoring Kutztown 5-2 in the final quarter. Plesic and Wagner provided the Bears' only tallies in the fourth, breaking up Shippensburg's run just enough to preserve the 12-9 victory.
The game was chippy throughout, with 23 total cards distributed, 13 to the Raiders, including more than one stretch where three Shippensburg players were out simultaneously.
Defensively,
Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) anchored the effort with 11 saves. Plesic led all players with four caused turnovers, while
Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional) and LaMorte each collected a game-high four ground balls. Davis also controlled the draw circle with a team-high five draw controls.
The Golden Bears hit the road for their first conference away game Wednesday, March 18, facing No. 11 West Chester at 4 p.m.
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