KUTZTOWN, PA. (October 20, 2009) – The Kutztown University women’s soccer team is ranked 14^th nationally and second in the Atlantic Region in the weekly poll released Tuesday by the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA). Kutztown moved up two spots from last week.

Kutztown (11-2-2 overall) is ranked second in the Atlantic Region behind Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) school West Chester. Behind KU are California, Indiana, Davis & Elkins, East Stroudsburg, Gannon, Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock, Alderson-Broaddus and West Virginia Wesleyan.

The Golden Bears have an eight-match unbeaten streak, including the last seven via shutout. Last week, Kutztown defeated Shepherd, 3-0, and Shippensburg, 4-0. Freshman Stephanie Barnett (Blandon/Fleetwood) had a memorable week as she scored three goals in two games. Barnett scored twice and had an assist against Shepherd. In outshooting Shippensburg, 22-2, Kutztown got goals from Chelsea Bressler (Cleona/Annville-Cleona), Sarah Black (Hershey/Lower Dauphin), Molly Cooper (Palmyra/Palmyra) and Barnett.

Freshman keeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) was named PSAC East Player of the Week. During the week, she established the Kutztown school record for shutouts in a single season with 10.   

Kutztown concludes its five-match road trip with a showdown at eighth-ranked West Chester. The Golden Bears also host East Stroudsburg Saturday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. 

Based in Kansas City, Kan., the NSCAA is the largest coaches' organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to include more than 28,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. It fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 4,000 soccer.

--KU-- 

---