SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Head coach Kristen Nicholson and her No. 15 Kutztown Golden Bears are right back where they belong: in the PSAC Championship Game.

This marks Kutztown's second appearance in the PSAC Championship since the program was reinstated in 2008, with both appearances coming under Nicholson's leadership. In the Bears' most successful season in program history in 2024, Kutztown fell to West Chester by a single goal, 12-11, in the championship game. It was the program's fourth championship appearance overall (1982, 1983, 1984), and the Golden Bears are now playing in their fifth, searching for their second program championship and first since reinstatement.

Nicholson has transformed the program into a powerhouse, becoming the winningest lacrosse coach in Kutztown history with 55 victories. With a win on Sunday, she would tie her own single-season program record of 15 wins set in 2024.

No. 15 Kutztown (14-5), the No. 3 seed from the East Division, faces No. 7 and top-seeded Slippery Rock (19-0) on Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

TWO UNDEFEATED STREAKS, ONE CHAMPION
Slippery Rock enters as the only undefeated team remaining in the PSAC at 19-0, having dismantled West Chester 13-7 in Friday's semifinals. But Kutztown just ended the PSAC postseason of the only other undefeated team in the conference, stunning No. 4 East Stroudsburg 10-8 in the Bears' semifinal matchup. Now, the Golden Bears are looking to snap another undefeated streak on the conferences' biggest stage.

"Our team showed a lot of resilience leading up to this game," Nicholson said. "We're grateful for the opportunity to advance and are looking forward to competing in the championship game."

A FAMILIAR FOE
This will be the first meeting between the two programs since 2019, when Kutztown secured a 14-8 victory. That matchup was one of 11 all-time meetings between the schools, with the Golden Bears holding a 3-8 record against the Rock dating back to the program's reinstatement in 2008.

Both teams have faced similar opponents throughout the season with varying results. In the PSAC quarterfinals, Slippery Rock defeated Shippensburg 17-8, while Kutztown topped the Raiders 16-5 late in the regular season. In the Bears' quarterfinal, they dominated Seton Hill 19-6, while the Rock narrowly beat the Griffins 10-6 in the regular season. Both teams posted dominant wins over IUP: Kutztown 14-1 and Slippery Rock 17-7. However, Slippery Rock swept West Chester this season, while Kutztown fell to the Rams twice.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Defense will be the name of the game in Sunday's championship, as both teams rank at the top of the conference in goals against. Kutztown is fresh off holding the No. 4 team in the nation to the fewest goals East Stroudsburg has scored all season, while Slippery Rock boasts the stingiest defense in the PSAC, allowing just 98 goals in 19 games.

BY THE NUMBERS
Offense:

• Goals: Kutztown 274 (4th in PSAC), Slippery Rock 316 (3rd in PSAC)
• Assists: Kutztown 133, Slippery Rock 146

Defense:

• Goals Against: Kutztown 167 (2nd in PSAC), Slippery Rock 98 (1st in PSAC)
• Ground Balls: Kutztown 412 (2nd in PSAC), Slippery Rock 432 (1st in PSAC)
• Caused Turnovers: Kutztown 252 (3rd in PSAC), Slippery Rock 287 (2nd in PSAC)
• Save Percentage: Kutztown .483 (4th in PSAC), Slippery Rock .490 (3rd in PSAC)

Possession:

• Draw Controls: Kutztown 227 (5th in PSAC), Slippery Rock 299 (2nd in PSAC)
• Turnovers: Kutztown 330 (3rd most in PSAC), Slippery Rock 279 (2nd fewest in PSAC)

KEY PLAYERS
Kutztown: Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western) leads the Golden Bears in both goals (66) and points (74) and is coming off a four-goal performance in Friday's semifinal victory over East Stroudsburg. She ranks second in the conference in goals this season. Isabella Montuori (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot) is also riding momentum after scoring both the game-winner and insurance goal in the 10-8 semifinal win. Lauren LaMorte (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) paces the Bears in assists (34) and sits seventh in the conference.

Defensively, just about everyone on the field is an asset for the Golden Bears. Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional) leads Kutztown in ground balls (56), draw controls (45), and caused turnovers (58)—tied for first in the conference. Defender Rowan Hall (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern) and goalkeeper Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) are also All-PSAC East selections.

Slippery Rock: The Rock's scoring, similar to Kutztown, is spread across multiple threats. Reagan Richeson (#14) leads in goals (65), while Grace Rotter leads in points (83). Rotter is coming off a six-goal performance in the quarterfinal against Shippensburg, and Isabella Buono (#6) tallied four goals and five points against West Chester in the semifinals.

PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year Paige Jenkins leads Slippery Rock with 66 ground balls and 58 caused turnovers—tied with Davis for the conference lead. In the draw circle, Shannon Von Kaenel (#31) leads the PSAC with 179 draw controls. The Rock placed eight players on the All-PSAC teams and claimed Coach of the Year honors.

PARALLEL PATHS
Slippery Rock is playing in its second consecutive PSAC Championship Game. Both schools dropped their lacrosse programs in the early 1990s before reinstating them in the late 2000s. The Rock brought the sport back in 2007, while Kutztown followed in 2008. Both teams are searching for their first title since reinstatement. Kutztown has one previous championship to its name from 1982, while Slippery Rock is chasing its first-ever lacrosse title.

Kutztown is chasing history on multiple fronts—their first championship since reinstatement, a chance to tie the program record for wins in a single season (15), and a storybook ending to a remarkable year in the conference.

The opening draw is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

TICKET INFORMATION
Championship Admission Fees:

• Adults: $12
• Students K-12: $7
• Free admission for students from member institutions with valid ID
• PSAC Passes honored

Tickets can only be purchased via Hudl Tickets. This will be a cashless event. All sales final—no refunds. It is advised to purchase tickets prior to arriving, however, tickets will be available for purchase on-site.