EDINBORO, Pa. (November 2, 2015) – The fourth-seed Edinboro University women's soccer team have their eyes set on defeating Kutztown, the fifth seed, for the second time this year when the two teams square off in the PSAC Quarterfinals on Tuesday, November 3 at 1:00 p.m. at Sox Harrison Stadium.
The winner of Tuesday's match will play the winner of the quarterfinals match between top-seed Gannon and eighth-seed Bloomsburg in the PSAC Semifinals on Friday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m. That match is also taking place on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Edinboro will be appearing in their sixth straight and tenth overall PSAC Tournament under head coach
Gary Kagiavas, who has led the Fighting Scots women's soccer program since their inception in 1996. They have made the NCAA Tournament three times and have advanced as far as the PSAC Semifinals.
This is the second straight year that Edinboro and Kutztown will face off in the conference quarterfinals. It also marks the fourth time in six years that both teams have played against each other in the PSAC Tournament. Kutztown defeated Edinboro in the 2010 playoffs, 5-1, and the Scots beat the Golden Bears in the 2012 quarterfinals, 2-1. The Fighting Scots lost at Kutztown in last year's playoff match, 2-0, after defeating the Golden Bears earlier in the year, 2-1.
The Fighting Scots finished the regular season with a 12-6-0 overall record and an 11-5-0 PSAC record, earning the fourth seed in the conference tournament. They have won their last three matches. The Golden Bears obtained the fifth seed with an 11-5-1 overall record and an 11-5-0 PSAC record. Edinboro was ranked sixth in last week's NCAA Atlantic Region poll while Kutztown was ranked fourth.
The Scots used three first-half goals and a two-goal, one-assist performance by sophomore midfielder
Ashley Mutkus to defeat the Golden Bears on October 17, 4-1. Mutkus and
Alex Brown each scored to put Edinboro up, 2-0. Alyssa Ryan scored for Kutztown to trim the Fighting Scots lead to one.
Jansen Hartmann responded with a goal in the 42
nd minute to give the Boro a 3-1 lead at halftime. Mutkus then netted a goal in the 75
th minute for the lone second-half goal. Edinboro leads in the all-time series against Kutztown, 10-7-1.
Hartmann, a senior and two-time All-PSAC selection, leads the Fighting Scots with 28 points on eleven goals and six assists. She is ranked eighth all-time in Edinboro scoring in career points (70), eighth in career goals (25), and third in career assists (20). Mutkus and freshman midfielder
Halle Hammer are tied for second with 17 points.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Sarah Baskey has 14 starts in goal in her first season as the starter, holding a 10-4-0 record with a 1.17 goals against average and four shutouts. Senior
Reilee DuPratt and freshman
Abby Gillespie have been staples on the Edinboro defense that has allowed 23 goals all season with five shutouts.
Alaina Curry is the Golden Bears' leading scorer with 15 points on six goals and three assists. Diana Malanga is second with 13 points on six goals and one assist. Goalie Deana Messner has a 7-3-1 record with a 0.98 goals against average and three shutouts. Kutztown is fifth in the PSAC in goals allowed with 17.
The other two PSAC Quarterfinals matches feature sixth-seed Shippensburg at third-seed Slippery Rock and second-seed West Chester hosting seventh-seed East Stroudsburg. Both matches will be played on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m., as well.
The top remaining seed from Tuesday's quarterfinals will host the PSAC Final Four on Friday, November 6 and Sunday, November 8.
