KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Bloomsburg women's soccer team fought to a 1-1 draw at Kutztown Wednesday evening.
Aubrey Hondros (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock South) made the difference in the contest for the Huskies, scoring the equalizer moments after the Huskies fell behind 1-0 in the 17th minute. Samantha Merklin (Effort, Pa./Pleasant Valley) provided her own critical efforts in the 1-1 decision, finishing the contest with nine saves to her name.
Bloomsburg moves to 8-4-3 overall and 6-4-3 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division. Kutztown sits at 8-2-6 on the season with a 6-2-6 record in conference action.
How It Happened:
The Huskies fended off several shots from the Golden Bears through the early portions of the contest. Merklin made two stops in the first 15 minutes, coming off her line to redirect an effort from Katelyn Economopolous after the Kutztown player got behind the Bloomsburg defense. Lightning did not strike twice in Bloomsburg's favor, as a minute later, Corinne Morgan accelerated past the Huskies' backline and put a shot in the lower right corner to get one past a charging Merklin.
Not dismayed by the early setback, Bloomsburg paced forward, seeking to find the tying goal. Marlee Potillo (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining) weighted a well-placed ball to an in-cutting Hondros just inside the 19th minute. The senior's well-timed run and shot were parried out of play for a corner following a tremendous kick save from Kutztown goalkeeper Cassidy Howes.
Off the corner, both sides chased after the ball with feet and bodies flying all over. The ball landed at the feet of Jess Wanzor (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial), with the senior able to flick the ball over her head and her defender to an unmarked and onside Hondros in front of the goal. Hondros put enough on her nodded attempt to get the ball over the goal line to make it 1-1.
Bloomsburg staved off another succession of shots from the Golden Bears as Merklin and the Huskies entered the halftime break even on the road. The Maroon & Gold escaped with just one goal conceded after giving up a 13-2 shot advantage in the first half.
The second half began with Merklin making another two saves in the first five minutes to counter the attacking efforts from Kutztown. Bloomsburg had a chance to win the ball in the box following a corner, but a mad scrum ensued, leading to the ball rolling into the hands of Howes.
As Merklin and the defense continued to keep the Golden Bears off the board, the Huskies searched for an attacking effort to give them the lead. Bloomsburg managed to get the ball forward several times in the closing moments, aiming for Brooke Foster (Cherry Hill, N.J./Camden Catholic) in the middle and Alena Totten (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) down the right side, but the Huskies could not find that last chance on net to challenge Kutztown for the win before the final whistle.
Numbers of Note:
9 - Merklin's presence in the net was a primary factor in Bloomsburg getting a draw Wednesday evening. The junior goalkeeper recorded her third game of the season with at least nine stops between the woodwork.
4 & 16 - Hondros secured her fourth career goal and sits at 16 career points after finding the back of the net against Kutztown.
On the Horizon:
The Huskies return to Steph Pettit Stadium on Saturday, November 2, at 4:00 p.m. to take on West Chester in the home finale and celebrate Senior Day.
