GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – There was no easing into the 2026 season for second-ranked Kutztown field hockey, as the Golden Bears opened the year with a seven goal offensive outburst in a 7-1 victory over non-conference opponent Adelphi on the road Thursday afternoon.
Both teams worked to find their footing through the opening 10 minutes, trading penalty corners before senior
Rachel Galasso (Sweet Valley, Pa./Lake Lehman) opened the scoring for the Maroon and Gold at the 10:12 mark following a corner earned by senior
Jordan Stroup (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood).
The Golden Bears quickly found their rhythm, as junior
Ellie Myers (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) found the back of the cage on an unassisted shot at 16:57. Just 0:30 later, freshman
Anna Harris (Reston, Va./South Lakes) recorded her first goal as a Golden Bear, extending Kutztown's lead to 3-0.
At 24:03, Stroup deflected a shot from junior
Marlee Fetrow (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone) on the left side of the cage following another penalty corner earned by KU. Myers added her second goal of the game at 26:24, converting on a penalty corner to give the Golden Bears a 5-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Junior
Lorelai Lehenky (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) started in goal for the Golden Bears before sophomore
Tess Adolf (Lawrence, N.J./Lawrence) took over for the second half. Lehenky recorded two saves, while Adolph made one, with the two keepers facing a combined nine shots, only four of which were on cage. Adelphi scored its lone goal at the 33:04 mark of the third quarter on a penalty stroke.
Senior
Marissa Rice (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) added Kutztown's sixth goal at 53:53, finding the back of the cage on an unassisted strike. Junior
Taylor Vaccaro (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley) wrapped up the scoring for the Golden Bears, finishing off an assist from Stroup to make it 7-1.
Kutztown controlled the offensive opportunities throughout the contest, holding a 16-5 advantage in penalty corners while producing 26 shots, including 20 on cage.
The Maroon and Gold continue their opening week with a quick turnaround, facing Saint Michael's on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m., before taking on Southern Connecticut State on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
