KUTZTOWN, PA (January 26, 2010) – After completing one of its best seasons in school history, third-year Kutztown women's soccer coach Erik Burstein has announced a challenging and exciting spring schedule. (2010 SPRING SCHEDULE)

The highlight of the schedule is a trip to West Point (NY) to face Army on Saturday, March 27. That match begins a five-week stretch in which the Golden Bears play every Saturday through April 17. Kutztown will also face Lafayette, Rider, Lehigh and Shippensburg.

“This schedule will really test our team and will force the girls to play up to another level,” Burstein said. “With the quality of the teams in the PSAC always improving, it is absolutely critical that we find spring games with teams who are physically strong and play good soccer. We are very excited to be going to West Point, returning to both Lafayette and Rider, and adding Lehigh and Bucknell to this spring schedule makes it the most challenging and competitive spring schedule this program has ever had.”

Burstein also named Chelsea Deeter, Kelly Bushe and Jen Tice captains for the 2010 season. Overall, the Golden Bears will return many of their players from a team that finished with a 15-6-2 record and qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament.

Kutztown enjoyed a memorable year by setting a school record for wins (15) and shutouts in a season (13). Kutztown also finished second in the PSAC East regular season and as PSAC tournament runner-up. During the regular season, Kutztown was nationally ranked in nine of the 11 NSCAA polls. The Golden Bears peaked at ninth in the Sept. 15 poll.

“Kelly's development over the past three years is truly inspiring and the commitment she has shown to this program deserves to be rewarded,” Burstein said. “Not only is she a true talent, but her competitive attitude and her desire to win is exactly what this program need to continue moving forward. It is rare to find one player who possesses excellent leadership qualities, but to have three is truly a blessing. Kelly, Chelsea and Jen have helped transform this program and there is no question they will provide the leadership we need to face the  very challenging 2010 spring and fall seasons.”  

Deeter was named to the NSCAA All-Atlantic region first team while sophomore forward Chelsea Bressler and sophomore midfielder Shannon Pennock were named to the second team. All three players were named to the all-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division first team.

Offensively, Kutztown was paced by a balanced attack in which 14 different players scored at least one goal. Bressler led the Golden Bears with 10 goals and 24 points. Freshman forward Molly Cooper scored seven goals and sophomore midfielder Shannon Pennock added six goals.

“I try to use the spring to provide our players with the best possible experience," Burstein said. Playing against Division I schools and traveling to different campuses really makes the spring season a special time for the players. Not only are we looking to develop as a team, we are also looking to challenge ourselves by competing against some truly great programs.”

Kutztown's 2010 schedule will be announced at a later date.

--KU--