KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Kutztown University women's soccer team enters the 2026 season looking to continue its recent success under 19th-year head coach Erik Burstein. After finishing as PSAC runners-up in each of the past two seasons, the Golden Bears will look to take the next step and capture the conference title.
Kutztown ended their 2025 campaign with a 13-6-1 overall record with nine conference victories, ending their season as runners-up in the PSAC championship and a first round defeat in the NCAA tournament. Entering the 2026 season KU were voted second in PSAC East Division's preseason poll by the league's coaches becoming on the top threats to claim the title in 2026.
"Just being back with the team and beginning the journey of this season," Burstein said. "Excited to see this group come together as a team, and excited to begin the developmental process with the individual players in the program. It is an awesome environment, and it's just a lot of fun to be as part of each and every day.
"They are very engaged with everything we are doing. They ask questions, they have a genuine interest in learning their roles and executing the plan, they care about their performances and want to know how they can improve on the field, and they came to pre-season prepared and ready to get started. They have been great and I have really enjoyed working with them. Although it is still early, I have tremendous faith in this group, and I am excited to see them continue to develop and grow as a team."
Two of the team's top leaders Maura Day (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Abington) and Corinne Morgan (Port Republic, N.J./Cedar Creek) are returning for their Senior campaign. Day was the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year and recognized as an All-American by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). Morgan was voted All-PSAC east first team as a forward and earned All-Atlantic Region First Team.
"Corinne and Maura have been great, but this is about the group as a whole," Burstein said. "This entire group of returners, along with the freshman, have been truly enjoyable to work with and we are seeing great progress from all of them already. Their attitudes in training have been fantastic, players are asking lots of questions, and there is a genuine interest from all of them to learn and execute. Can't say enough about this group."
The Golden Bears also return a strong senior class, including goalkeeper Morgan O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin), midfielders Alyssa Galayda (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Liberty) and Mary Nangle (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks South). Junior Sarah Bronico (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) and sophomore Emma Gonzalez (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) also return after contributing last season. With a strong group of returners and 13 newcomers, Kutztown looks to build on last season's success and make another run at the PSAC title.
Burstein will look to capture his first PSAC championship title after guiding Kutztown to six title games and eight semifinal appearances during his 19 seasons. Reaching the conference championship game in each of the past two season, looking to take the title this season.
"Continued growth and progress with their development," Burstein said about the 2026 team getting over the top. "There is a process here, and every player goes through that process in different ways and at a different pace. As long as the group maintains a positive attitude toward their developmental process, and we progress as a team each week, I will be thrilled. I also think the result will be very positive."
Kutztown opens the 2026 season on the road with a non-conference game against Charleston (W.Va.) on Friday, August 28. The Maroon and Gold then open PSAC East play with a rematch of the 2025 conference championship at Sheperd on Saturday, Sept. 5, before returning for the home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 9, against East Stroudsburg at 7 p.m., from Keystone Field.
