Women's Soccer
 

last updated 11/09/2009 09:08 PM

Kutztown selected to host NCAA Regional

KUTZTOWN, PA. (November 9, 2009) – The Kutztown University women’s soccer team has been selected to participate in the 2009 NCAA Division II tournament. The Golden Bears earned the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Region and will host a regional on Friday, November 13 and Sunday, November 15 at Keystone Field. (FULL BRACKET)

The Golden Bears (15-5-2 overall) received a first-round bye and will play the winner of the California-West Virginia Wesleyan game Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. California (15-5-1) and West Virginia Wesleyan (13-6-1) will battle Friday afternoon at Keystone Field (1 p.m.). Overall, 48 teams were selected for the 2009 NCAA Division II championship tournament.

“Being selected to the NCAA tournament is a wonderful bonus and a fair reward for the season we had,” Kutztown head coach Erik Burstein said. “Our goal coming into the season was just to make the (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) tournament. We are really excited and looking forward to playing at home.”

Kutztown will be making its second trip to the NCAA Division II tournament and first since 2003. Kutztown lost 4-0 to Adelphi in its last NCAA appearance. This season, the Golden Bears have set single season program records for wins (15) and shutouts (13). Kutztown lost the PSAC title game to West Chester last weekend.

The Golden Bears earned their first home NCAA playoff game in program history by defeating California (Pa.), 1-0, last Friday in the PSAC semifinals. Kutztown is 8-1-1 at home this season.

“Being one of 48 teams selected to the NCAA tournament means a whole lot,” sophomore forward Chelsea Bressler said. “We worked really hard during the season. We are really excited to be able to play a home game. It will be great for our fans.”

Prior to the NCAA announcement, the players spent time eating pizza, telling jokes, listening to the Jackson Five and playing the classic game Hangman.

Bressler leads the Golden Bears in goals scored with 10 goals and 24 points. Kutztown has used a balanced attack to enjoy a memorable season. Freshman Molly Cooper is second on the team with seven goals. Sophomore Shannon Pennock and freshman Stephanie Barnett have scored six goals each. Overall, the Golden Bears have received goals from 14 different players.

The third round and quarterfinals will be held Friday, November 20 and Sunday, November 22. The semifinals and championship will be played at the University of Tampa on Friday December 4 and Saturday December 5.

NCAA DIVISION II ATLANTIC REGION

Friday, November 13, 2009

West Virginia Wesleyan vs. California (Pa.), 1 p.m.

Sunday November 15, 2009

West Virginia Wesleyan-California (Pa.) winner vs. KUTZTOWN, 1 p.m. 

--KU--