The KU Golden Bear women’s soccer team will be looking to put an overtime loss to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania behind them on Saturday in a home game against undefeated West Chester University of Pennsylvania. The Golden Bears are currently ranked seventh in the Division II Atlantic Region of the NCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Poll, and have an overall record of 6-4 (a win percentage of .600).
KU has done even better in conference play, with win percentage of .714 in a record of 5-2. In their last six games alone, which have all been within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the Golden Bears have won an impressive four of six games, and have almost doubled their opponents scoring, with 13 goals for (GF) and just seven goals allowed (GA).
The Golden Bears failed to keep their momentum going last Saturday in Edinboro, when they lost another heartbreaking one goal game, this time in overtime. All four of KU’s losses so far have been decided by no more than a single goal, and the Golden Bears have lost two overtime games this season.
KU struck early against the Fighting Scots, scoring two goals in the first half. They would go into halftime with a 2-1 lead, but Edinboro tied the game on Kelsey Knoll’s second assist of the day: a pass to Liz Debo. In overtime, Edinboro’s Karisa Fernandez handed KU the loss within five minutes.
Sophomore Jess Campbell recorded 10 saves in the game, and KU freshman Diana Malanga recorded her fourth goal of the season. Freshman Tess Arbegast also netted her 2nd goal for the Golden Bears in an impressive shot from 20 yards out in the loss. So far in the season, KU sophomore Sam Costello leads the Golden Bears with five goals, an assist and has 11 point. Malanga is closely following Costello, with her four goals, an assist and nine points.
KU has no time to hang their heads over the loss, as they host power-house West Chester University on Saturday. The Golden Rams currently hold a perfect record of 10-0. Also, in Tuesday’s Division II Atlantic Region of the NCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Poll, West Chester was given the top rank, six spots over the Golden Bears.
In PSAC play alone, the Golden Rams have outscored opponents by an impressive 16 goals, scoring 20 while only allowing four. West Chester is currently riding momentum they gained from a stellar season last year, in which they won their way into the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the second round. They finished the season with an overall record of 13-4-4. KU however goes into the game knowing that their only meeting with West Chester last year resulted in a 1-0 KU win, and that they have their own momentum to ride off of, given their 16-6 finish, three wins in the PSAC Tournament and appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Golden Bears will look to use this season’s home field advantage against West Chester, as they currently are 3-1 in home games. Kick-off for the Golden Bears against West Chester is scheduled for this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Keystone Field.

By Nicholas Carson