WALTHAM, Mass. – Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western) and
Maddie Wagner (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) picked up right where they left off, combining for 12 goals to power No. 20 Kutztown to a dominant 19-8 victory over Bentley Saturday afternoon in Waltham.
The win was a statement rematch. When these two teams met last February, the Golden Bears escaped with a hard-fought 16-11 victory. This time around, Kutztown (4-1) was even more potent offensively while tightening the screws defensively, improving on both ends of the floor.
Bentley (1-3) struck first and briefly held its only lead of the game before the Golden Bears took control and never looked back. Kutztown outscored the Falcons in every quarter, building momentum with each frame.
The Bears set the tone early, limiting Bentley to just one goal in the opening quarter while building a cushion. The second quarter turned into an offensive clinic as Kutztown erupted for seven goals, and the Bears maintained their dominance in the second half, outscoring Bentley 4-2 in both the third and fourth quarters.
Yocum and Wagner carried the offensive load with complementary performances. Yocum did her damage early, scoring five of her six goals in the first half to stake Kutztown to a commanding lead. Wagner took over after halftime, netting four of her career-high six goals in the second half to put the game away.
The scoring depth was impressive beyond the dynamic duo.
Isabella Montuori (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot),
Alexis Plesic (Hanover, Pa./South Western), and
Sophie Engelhardt (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) each contributed two goals, while
Madison Wenner (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City) added one to round out the balanced attack.
The ball movement was crisp throughout. Engelhardt and
Lauren LaMorte (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) orchestrated the offense with four assists apiece, accounting for eight of Kutztown's 11 helpers on the afternoon. The Bears controlled possession and peppered the net with 44 shots compared to Bentley's 20, putting 25 on frame.
Defensively, Kutztown was relentless. Eleven different Golden Bears scooped up ground balls, led by
Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional) and
Sammy Ruwet (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) with three each. The Bears forced 13 turnovers and dominated the ground ball battle 23-13. Yocum controlled the midfield with four draw controls to lead the team.
In the cage,
Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) continued her stellar season while making history. The senior recorded nine saves and became the second all-time leader in career goalie wins with 13, cementing her place in the program's record books.
The Golden Bears return home next week for their most anticipated matchup yet, hosting No. 12 East Stroudsburg at 3 p.m. on Keystone Field in their PSAC conference opener.
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