Press Releases - September 2004

The following are press releases for the Kutztown University Athletic Department, released during the time listed above.  For more information, contact the sports information office.  

September 28, 2004 

THREE KU TEAMS RANKED AMONG REGION’S BEST 

KUTZTOWN, PA – The Kutztown University field hockey team maintained a high ranking in the national coaches poll, while the football and men’s soccer received spots in the regional rankings. 

            The field hockey team eased down a notch to sixth in the latest Division II STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.  The Golden Bears split a pair of matches last week, shutting out No. 7 East Stroudsburg and falling in double-overtime against second-ranked Bloomsburg.  KU is 9-2 on the season, including a 5-2 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).  UMass-Lowell retained the top spot in the rankings this week.  Following them, in order, are Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, Bentley, Indiana (PA) and KU.   

            The football team is ranked seventh in the Northeast Regional rankings from the NCAA Division II Football Committee.  The Golden Bears, 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the PSAC East, trail Shippensburg, East Stroudsburg, C.W.Post, Bentley, Bloomsburg and West Chester, respectively, in the regional poll.  The top six teams in the region earn berths into the NCAA playoffs at the end of the season, unless a team qualifies under “earned access.”  Earned access comes into play when a conference does not have a team in the top six, but does have one ranked between seventh and 10^th.  The West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is the only conference not to be represented in the top ten.  West Virginia Wesleyan is that conference’s top-ranked team at #11.   

            In men’s soccer, Kutztown jumped four places in the newest edition of the NSCAA/adidas Northeast Regional rankings.  The Golden Bears moved from ninth to fifth behind a pair of wins.  KU topped Molloy, 3-1, and defeated the No. 10 team Lock Haven, 3-0.  Kutztown trails only No. 1 Dowling, second-ranked Bridgeport, No. 3 California (PA), and No. 4 East Stroudsburg in the poll.  On the year, the Golden Bears are 5-2-2 overall and 2-0 in the PSAC. 

            The field hockey team next plays on Thursday, when they host Mansfield in a PSAC contest at 4:00 PM.  Football travels to West Chester on Saturday for a 7:00 PM contest against the Golden Rams.  The men’s soccer team heads to New Haven on Wednesday for a 4:00 PM game.

September 28, 2004 

KUTZTOWN’S KATIE HERMAN NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Katie Herman (so. Grove City/Grove City) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Week for the week ending September 26. 

            Herman tallied 168 assists as Kutztown split four matches during the week.  The sophomore averaged 12 assists per game and totaled 10 kills and 34 digs.  She had 63 assists, the second highest single match total at KU, in a win over Slippery Rock, and also passed out 31 assists and seven digs in a three-game win over PSAC East rival Shippensburg. 

            This is the second time in three weeks Herman has earned the nod as PSAC East Player of the Week.  She received the honor on September 14 as well, after posting a school-record 73 assists in a win over Clarion. 

            For the season, the sophomore leads the Golden Bears with 740 assists and 27 service aces.  Her 167 digs are third on the team.  Herman also has 49 kills. 

            The Golden Bears are 14-3 overall and 3-0 in the PSAC East on the season.  The team returns to action Tuesday night with a home match against Cheyney at 7:00 PM. 

September 23, 2004 

KU CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS AMONG REGION’S ELITE 

KUTZTOWN, PA – The Kutztown University men’s and women’s cross country teams are both ranked in the latest East Regional poll from the NCAA Division II Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches.  The women’s team is the region’s third-ranked squad, with the Golden Bear men checking in at No. 7. 

            The women moved up one spot from last week’s poll, while the men improved two spots from their preseason ranking. 

            Both squads had season-best finishes at the Maroon & Gold Invitational two weeks ago.  The women’s team defended the home course for the team win.  The men, meanwhile, placed second.  Both teams were idle last week. 

            In the women’s poll, Kutztown is ranked behind only No. 1 Edinboro and No. 2 Indiana (PA).  The men’s poll shows Lock Haven, Edinboro, Shippensburg, Bloomsburg, Slippery Rock, and Indiana (PA) ahead of the Golden Bears, in that order. 

            The KU men and women will head to Lehigh University this Saturday to take part in the Paul Short Invitational.

September 22, 2004

 MEN’S SOCCER RANKED NO. 9 IN REGION 

KUTZTOWN, PA – The Kutztown University men’s soccer team is ranked No. 9 in the Northeast Region in the latest Division II rankings from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Adidas. 

            The Golden Bears jump into the rankings after a 2-0 week that included 2-1 wins against Columbia Union and Shippensburg.  Since the release of the rankings, KU has added another 2-1 win, this time over Molloy, to improve to 4-2-2 on the season.             

            After the win over Molloy, the Golden Bears stand at 4-2-2 overall, and 1-0 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). 

Kutztown has played a difficult schedule thus far, including two nationally ranked teams.  The Golden Bears picked up a 1-1 tie against the District of Columbia, then ranked No. 20 in the country.  KU also lost to then No. 3 Dowling.             

            The Golden Bears’ schedule also features matchups with all ten of the regionally ranked squads.  KU already faced off with No. 1 Dowling, No. 4 District of Columbia and No. 5 Bridgeport.  Games against No. 2 Slippery Rock, No. 3 West Chester, sixth-ranked Lock Haven, No. 7 California (PA), No. 8 East Stroudsburg and tenth-ranked Bloomsburg lie ahead.           

            The Golden Bears take the field again on Saturday, when they host Lock Haven.  Game time at Kutztown is set for 11:00 AM. 

September 22, 2004 

KU AND THE PSAC TEAM UP TO PROMOTE ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR AWARENESS 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University will host an Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Day on Saturday, September 25th.  The event will take place during the Golden Bears’ football game at 1:05 PM against Mansfield.

             The event is organized and sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in partnership with Pennsylvania’s two organ donor programs, the Center for Organ Recovery (CORE) and Gift of Life Donor Program, to draw attention to the critical need for organs for lifesaving transplants. 

            During Saturday’s football game, members of the Kutztown Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will distribute donor cards and literature about organ and tissue donation and encourage students, faculty, parents and alumni to sign donor cards and talk with their families about donating life.   

            All 14-member institutions of the PSAC will participate in the program throughout the football season.  Over 40,000 donor cards will be distributed to fans in attendance at the sponsored games.  

            When considering organ donation, it is important to remember several important facts.  More than 79,000 people in the United States and more than 5,000 across the state await lifesaving organ transplants and thousands more benefit from life-enhancing tissue transplants.  A single decision to donate can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people.   

            Research shows that while most Americans support organ donation, less than half actually make the decision to donate.  Sadly, 16 people die every day in the U.S. while waiting for a lifesaving transplant.   

            The KU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the PSAC project will raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation on behalf of the thousands of Pennsylvania residents awaiting a second chance at life. 

            For more information about the PSAC Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Promotion, contact Steve Murray, PSAC Commissioner at 570-893-2512.  For more information about organ and tissue donation in eastern Pennsylvania, contact the Gift of Life at 888-DONORS1.

September 21, 2004 

KU FIELD HOCKEY RANKED NO. 5 IN THE NATION 

KUTZTOWN, PA – The Kutztown University field hockey team is tied for fifth in the latest STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll. 

            The Golden Bears have used a 7-1 start to the season, which included a seven-game win streak, to climb up the polls.  The good start has not come easy for KU, the squad has come from behind in four of the seven victories. 

            Kutztown has three wins over ranked teams.  The Golden Bears have defeated No. 4 Indiana (PA), No. 9 St. Michael’s and No. 10 Southern Connecticut State.  No. 3 Shippensburg handed KU its only defeat of the season.   

            In addition to a 7-1 overall mark, Kutztown sits at 3-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), good for third place.             

            UMass-Lowell is the top ranked team in this week’s poll, replacing the previous No. 1, Bloomsburg.  The Huskies dropped to No. 2, followed by Shippensburg and Indiana (PA).  Bentley College is tied for fifth with the Golden Bears. 

            Kutztown takes on a pair of ranked opponents this week.  On Wednesday, the Golden Bears will travel to No. 7 East Stroudsburg for a PSAC match at 4:00 PM.  Then on Saturday, KU hosts No. 2 Bloomsburg at 1:30 PM.

September 21, 2004 

KUTZTOWN’S BRANDON NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Sarah Brandon (so. Gibsonia/Pine-Richland), of the Kutztown University women’s volleyball team, has been selected as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Week. 

            Brandon, an outside hitter, earns the honor after helping KU to a 3-0 record during the week, including PSAC East wins over West Chester and Millersville.  In 11 games she totaled 53 kills, 11 errors, in 103 attempts with a hitting percentage at .408.  Brandon registered 16 kills and three blocks against West Chester, 18 kills, eight digs, and three blocks in the win over Millersville, and 19 kills and four blocks against Concordia. 

            On the season, Brandon ranks second in the PSAC in kills (209) and third in hitting percentage (.387).  She leads KU in both categories, while also ranking second on the team with 33 blocks. 

            This is the second straight week a Kutztown team member has earned the Player of the Week award.  Setter Katie Herman (so. Grove City/Grove City) received the honor last week. 

            The Golden Bears are 12-1 on the season and 2-0 in the PSAC East.  The team travels to Shippensburg for a PSAC East matchup Tuesday night, before heading to Slippery Rock for three PSAC Crossover matches on Friday and Saturday.

September 14, 2004

KU’S KATIE HERMAN EARNS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Katie Herman (so. Grove City/Grove City) of the Kutztown University women’s volleyball team has been selected as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Player of the Week.   

Herman earns the honor after helping the Golden Bears to a 5-1 record over the past week.  During KU’s six matches, the sophomore played in all 23 games, tallying 308 assists and had 10 service aces, 26 kills, and 64 digs.   

She highlighted those performances with a school-record 73 assists against Clarion in the semifinals of the KU Challenge.  In the finals, she posted the second-best total in KU history, with 63 assists. 

For the season, the Grove City native has 455 assists and 21 aces, both team highs.  She ranks fourth on KU with 109 digs and also has 36 kills. 

Kutztown is 9-1 on the season and opens PSAC East play Tuesday evening with a match against West Chester at Keystone Arena.

September 14, 2004 

KU’S LARE NAMED PSAC RUNNER OF THE WEEK

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s Molly Lare (so. Bethlehem/Liberty) earned Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Runner of the Week honors after a victory at the Maroon & Gold Invitational on Saturday. 

            Lare won the 6K race with a time of 24:19, helping to propel the Golden Bears to the team win as well.  Her time was 35 seconds faster than that of the second place finisher. 

            It was the sophomore’s second career individual win.  Lare won the Lehigh Valley Championship as a freshman in her first college race last fall.            

            The Kutztown cross country teams are idle this week.  The squads next run on Saturday, September 25 at the Paul Short Invitational in Bethlehem, PA.

September 7, 2004

 KU’S LAUREN BLAIN NAMED PSAC FIELD HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s Lauren Blain (jr. Marietta/Donegal) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week. 

            Blain has helped her team get off to a 4-0 start, just three wins shy of last year's total at Kutztown.  She has collected five goals in those four contests to lead the team in scoring.  Blain scored a crucial goal in a 2-1 win over St. Michael's and added two more in a 4-2 victory vs. Southern Connecticut St.  Her final two goals came this past Saturday, including the game-winner with just 3:36 left in the contest, in a 4-3 Golden Bear win at Mansfield. 

            Blain and the Golden Bears return to action this weekend with the Joshua W. Wesner Memorial Tournament at KU.  KU hosts Philadelphia University in the tournament’s first game at 2:00 PM on Friday.

September 7, 2004

HONORS POUR IN FOR KUTZTOWN’S YUSEF TURNER 

KUTZTOWN, PA – Yusef Turner (sr. Philadelphia/South Philadelphia), of the Kutztown University Football team, has received several honors for his performance in Kutztown’s 25-14 win over Clarion on Saturday. 

            Turner has been named the d2football.com Co-Defensive Player of the Week, the Full Impact Network Division II Defensive Player of the Week and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Player of the Week. 

             A linebacker, Turner receives the honors after a monster game in a 25-14 win over Clarion.  He had a hand in two of the Golden Bear touchdowns on the afternoon and added 10 tackles (eight solo), three tackles for a loss, two sacks, a pass breakup, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery.  His three tackles for loss racked up 15 yards, with his sacks sending the opposing offense 12 yards in the wrong direction. 

            Turner’s blocked punt in the third quarter was scooped up by teammate Matt Millard and returned for a touchdown.  In the fourth quarter, Turner recovered a fumble and returned it 12 yards for KU’s final score. 

            The Kutztown defense, led by Turner, forced eight consecutive punts to start the game. 

            For the season, Turner has 13 tackles, including 10 solos and four tackles for a loss. 

            Kutztown, 1-1 on the season, travels to Lock Haven this Saturday for a PSAC inter-divisional matchup.