SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Senior
Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional) etched her name in the Kutztown record books Saturday afternoon, recording a career-high seven caused turnovers to become the second all-time leader in program history while powering No. 15 Kutztown to a decisive 16-5 victory over Shippensburg.
Davis' dominant defensive performance pushed her career total to 138 caused turnovers, second only to Courtney O'Neill's 159 set between 2014-2017. Her seven caused turnovers also tied for fourth-most in a single game in program history. The senior added five ground balls, tied for the game high, to move into sixth all-time in career ground balls (163) at Kutztown.
The record-breaking afternoon wasn't limited to Davis. Junior
Alexis Plesic (Hanover, Pa./South Western) delivered a career day of her own, recording a career-high six points on one goal and five assists while tying for sixth all-time in single-game assists. Plesic also matched Davis with five ground balls, a career high, and added four caused turnovers, giving the Golden Bears (8-5, 4-4 PSAC East) a suffocating defensive presence.
Of Kutztown's 16 goals, 10 were assisted. Plesic and
Sammy Ruwet (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) combined for nine of those helpers, with Ruwet adding a career-high four assists of her own.
The victory was a stark contrast from the teams' first meeting on March 14, when Shippensburg (5-8, 2-6 PSAC East) clawed back to make it a 12-9 final. This time, the Golden Bears were in control from start to finish.
The first quarter was the only competitive frame. Shippensburg jumped out to a 3-1 lead, their only advantage of the game, before Kutztown rallied late. Four different Bears scored in the opening quarter, with
Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western) breaking through first before Plesic,
Maddie Wagner (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township), and
Lauren LaMorte (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) scored three unanswered to give Kutztown a 4-3 lead.
From there, the Golden Bears took over. Kutztown outscored the Raiders 12-2 over the final three quarters, holding Shippensburg scoreless in the fourth and limiting them to just one goal apiece in the second and third.
Nine different Golden Bears found the back of the net. Yocum led the way with four goals, followed by LaMorte's three.
Isabella Montuori (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot) and freshman
Antonia Troilo (Laurel Springs, N.J./Sterling) each added two, while Plesic, Wagner,
Madison Wenner (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City),
Sophie Engelhardt (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley), and sophomore defender
Avery Hershey (Denver, Pa./Cocalico), who scored her first career goal, rounded out the balanced attack.
In goal,
Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) turned in an outstanding performance, posting a .722 save percentage with 13 saves, her second-most this season behind her 15-save effort against nationally ranked Pace.
The Golden Bears dominated statistically across the board, holding edges in shots (42-26), shots on goal (30-18), ground balls (23-17), and draw controls (14-8). Hershey led the team with four draw controls.
Kutztown continues its road stretch Wednesday, April 15, traveling to Millersville for a 4 p.m. matchup.
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