Women's Soccer
2009 Feature

last updated 11/12/2009 06:32 PM
 
2009 NCAA DIVISION II ATLANTIC REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

Bressler's actions has spoken volumes for Kutztown

KUTZTOWN, PA. (November 12, 2009) – Kutztown University women’s soccer player Chelsea Bressler’s (Annville/Annville-Cleona) outburst and sudden show of emotion caught everybody off guard.

The normally quiet and laid back Bressler let her teammates know how she felt after suffering their first loss of the season, a 2-1 overtime defeat to Wheeling-Jesuit. On the five-hour bus ride home along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Bressler spoke her mind, shocked her teammates and lit a spark that has helped Kutztown enjoy its best season in school history so far.

“I was in shock when she spoke up,” junior Jen Pyne said. “I never seen her do that before and I think it touched everybody when she spoke up. She spoke to the upperclassmen and let us know how she was feeling after that game. Last year, she didn’t talk much and she was really quiet. She just did what she had to do. Now, this year, she talks and yells more and I think it’s great.”

Since that defeat almost two months ago, the Golden Bears (15-5-2 overall) have sprinted away from their rivals this season. They established school records for most shutouts in a season (13) and wins (15). Kutztown also enjoyed an eight-match unbeaten streak that featured seven consecutive shutouts. Bressler was in the middle of most of that activity.

Nicknamed “Biscuit”, Bressler is a furnace blast-like competitor on the field. She does whatever it takes to make sure Kutztown is in a good position to win at the end of the game. If it means speaking her mind, taking a defender to the goal, threading perfect passes or making a tackle, then Bressler has willingly dirtied her uniform.

However, off the field, Bressler is an affable, fun-loving person with a million-dollar smile and a heart bigger than the solar system. Bressler has taken more of a leadership role this season.

“She is one of the best players I’ve ever played with,” Pyne said. “She is very inspiring.”

After earning a first-round bye, the Golden Bears will compete in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Sunday afternoon against the winner of the California (Pa.)-West Virginia Wesleyan game beginning at 1 p.m. with a trip to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 at stake. This is Kutztown’s second trip in program history to the NCAA tournament and first home game.

California, Pa. (15-5-1) and West Virginia Wesleyan (13-6-1) meet Friday at 1 p.m. at Keystone Field. Kutztown is 9-3-2 all-time against California, which is making its first appearance in school history in the NCAA tournament. The Golden Bears have never faced West Virginia Wesleyan, which is making its third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. West Virginia Wesleyan, champions of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, lost to East Stroudsburg, 4-0, in last year’s opening round.

A ballerina in cleats and magician with the ball, Bressler has been consistent this season. She led Kutztown with 10 goals, 24 points and five game-winning tallies. Bressler recorded a point in 12 of Kutztown’s 22 matches this season. For her sterling career, the two-time first team all-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division selection has scored 20 goals.

“It has been a true pleasure to watch Chelsea develop as a player,” third-year head coach Erik Burstein said. “She makes games exciting to watch and the fans absolutely love when she gets the ball. She is, without question, one of the best one-on-one attackers in our conference, if not the region. Her combination of balance, speed, strength and acceleration are very difficult for defenders to deal with.”

Bressler is relentless when pursuing loose balls. She knows when to use her speed to leave a defender in the dust or unleash a wicked crossover dribble that would make Allen Iverson blush to free her or a teammate for a shot. She scored the decisive goal against California (Pa.) during last week’s 1-0 victory in the PSAC semifinals. Bressler also scored Kutztown’s first goal of the year late in the second half of its season-opening 2-1 overtime victory over then eighth-ranked Mercyhurst.

More than the stuffing the statistic sheet, Bressler is always focused on always improving her game. She always gets her teammates involved in the action. With defenders keeping a close eye on Bressler, it has helped Kutztown enjoy a versatile and dangerous offensive attack in which 14 different players have scored goals.

“Chelsea is very grounded and does not let the success she has enjoyed go to her head,” Burstein said. “She does not expect things to be given to her; she goes after what she wants and works hard for the rewards she gains. She takes absolutely nothing for granted. I am truly honored to have her as a member of this program and I continue to be impressed with her level of commitment.” 

--KU--