October has been nothing short of perfect for the KU women’s soccer team. Since the beginning of the month, KU has not allowed an opponent to score and has outscored the opposition 11-0 through the four game stretch. The team has improved its record to 9-4-1.
On Saturday, Oct. 13, Mercyhurst University was the victim of the Golden Bears latest offensive outburst as KU rolled to a 5-0 victory.
Rubi Mink started the scoring for Kutztown when she scored on a cross from teammate Diana Malanga in the 13th minute. Just five minutes later, former PSAC player of the week Sam Costello netted her team-leading seventh goal to put KU up 2-0. Mink then returned the favor when she assisted the third goal of the game off the foot of Mariah Dimm. KU took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, KU kept their foot on the pedal. After a Mercyhurst foul, Danielle Suzenski lofted a free kick from the midfield line into the Mercyhurst box when Taylor Higgins possessed the bouncing ball and beat the goalkeeper for the fourth goal of the game. Mariah Dimm added another goal to finish the 5-0 win. The victory over Mercyhurst brought KU’s record to 8-2-1 in PSAC play.
With Saturday’s win, goalkeeper Alina Rakiewicz continued to shine as she posted her fourth straight shutout.
It’s an old cliché that “numbers don’t lie.” The numbers in this case, state that KU is the most dominant second half team in the PSAC. In the second half of games this season, KU has outscored opponents 17-4, and has outshot the opposition 113-56. The team’s second half dominance is a testament to exceptional stamina and conditioning. In recent matchups with Millersville, Gannon, and Mercyhurst, KU possessed the ball in the opposition’s zone for nearly the entire second half. This combination of endurance and ball security has made KU the most successful team in the PSAC so far this season.
The women’s soccer team looks to continue their October dominance when they face Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. This is one of three final games of the season. KU will need to win out to guarantee a spot in the PSAC playoffs.

By John Jezzi