Women's Soccer
2009 Game Recaps
 

last updated 09/16/2009 02:21 PM

September 2, 2009
Wheeling-Jesuit 2, Kutztown 1 (OVERTIME)
Boxscore

 Kutztown drops overtime thriller at Wheeling-Jesuit

WHEELING, W. Va. (September 14, 2009) – The ending spoiled a terrific effort for the Kutztown University women’s soccer team. The Golden Bears suffered their first defeat of the season, 2-1, to Wheeling-Jesuit in overtime Monday afternoon at LaRosa Stadium.

The Golden Bears (4-1-1) displayed tremendous character, patience and persistence throughout the match that they trailed mainly throughout. Unfortunately, Kara Houston’s second goal of the game two minutes into overtime temporarily overshadowed all of the championship qualities that Kutztown displayed. Houston took a pass from Megan Newrones and headed the ball into the net for the game-winner. Wheeling-Jesuit’s record improved its overall record to 2-3.

Kutztown, ranked 24^th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top 25, was on the other side of the celebration when it opened the season by defeating eighth-ranked Mercyhust. Still, for the young Golden Bears, this will be something they can draw strength from as they faced plenty of adversity and endured several unlucky bounces. Even with all of the misfortune, Kutztown still put itself in position to win.

Despite trailing deep into the second half, Kutztown found a deep reserve well of energy that only it knew existed. Every ounce of hustle, hard work, passion and poise eventually paid off when freshman Molly Cooper turned on the jets and sprinted by a pair of Wheeling-Jesuit defenders to tie the game, 1-1, with 16 minutes, 43 seconds remaining.

That goal seemed to perk-up the Golden Bears, who dominated the final minutes of regulation by getting six of their 12 corner kicks, three restarts deep in the Cardinal end of the field and numerous throw-ins. Jen Pyne, Chelsea Bressler, Julie DiFerdinando and Stephanie Barnett applied plenty of offensive pressure during Kutztown’s assault on the goal.

Freshman keeper Alyssa Hackelberg made seven saves, including a pair in the final 10 minutes that allowed Kutztown to send the game into overtime. This was Kutztown’s second overtime contest in five days. The Golden Bears tied Shippensburg, 0-0, last Wednesday.

Houston started the scoring in the first half when she scored off of Wheeling-Jesuit’s only set piece of the first half off an assist from Shannon Post 15 minutes into the game. The Golden Bears had several great chances to tie the game, but a white-shirted Cardinal defender often appeared out of nowhere to knock the ball out of bounds.

Kutztown returns to action Wednesday afternoon when it hosts West Chester University in a key Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division showdown beginning at 3 p.m. Wheeling-Jesuit returns to action Wednesday when it travels to Ohio Valley for a 4 p.m. kickoff. 

--KU--