SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Kutztown women's soccer opened PSAC East play by defeating Shepherd on the road, 5-3, Saturday afternoon in a thrilling back-and-forth battle between the 2024 and 2025 conference finalists.
The two sides entered the game with recent history as Shepherd had gotten the better of the Golden Bears in each of the last two PSAC Championship games, raising the anticipation for the early season get together.
Shepherd wasted little time, opening the scoring 3:12 into the game with Merritt Delk finding the back of the net for a 1-0. The Golden Bears came right back on the offensive end with a goal from
Carly Louey (Hanover, Pa./South Western) at 6:35 to tie the game. KU kept pushing forward with a goal from
Giavanna Marciano (Trappe, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) at 10:01 to take the 2-1 lead. The Golden Bears (3-0-1, 1-0 PSAC East) carried the play for much of the half, firing five more shots on net to lead by a goal at the half and hold an 8-5 shot advantage.
Just under 20 minutes into the second half, Shepherd (3-1-0, 2-1 PSAC East) tied it on a goal from Aniyah Parker.
Maura Day (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Abington) put KU back in front in the 69th minute, but the Rams answered 26 seconds later with Olivia Gardner making it 3-3.
The Golden Bears took the lead for good when
Corinne Morgan (Port Republic, N.J./Cedar Creek) buried her fourth goal of the season
Corinne Morgan (Port Republic, N.J./Cedar Creek) in the 73rd minute. Morgan would set up Maricano's brace as Kutztown tacked on an insurance tally in the 82nd minute.
KU outshot Sheperd 18-12 overall and 9-7 on goal. The visitors also held a 6-4 edge in corners. The eight combined goals marked the most in a game between the two teams in 23 all-time meetings since 2000. Kutztown also improved to 8-1-1 on Shepherd's home turf.
After starting the season on a four-game road trip, Kutztown takes the pitch at Keystone Field for the first time this coming Wednesday, Sept 9, at 7 p.m.
