Bloomsburg Athletics

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Bloomsburg used a series of decisive scoring runs and a strong defensive effort to secure a 17-11 PSAC East victory over Shepherd on Saturday afternoon at Ram Stadium, while head coach Shannon Hertz earned her 92nd career win to become the program's all-time winningest coach.
 
The Huskies (4-9, 3-6 PSAC East) set the tone early, controlling possession and dictating pace behind a disciplined defensive unit that held Shepherd scoreless for the opening 20 minutes. Bloomsburg capitalized with the game's first run, as Emily Gauker (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) opened the scoring on a woman-up opportunity before Marykate Sitko (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) followed with a free-position goal to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead after the first quarter.
 
Bloomsburg extended the run early in the second quarter, pushing the advantage to 3-0 on Brianna Austin's (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) goal. After Shepherd answered with four straight to tie the game, the Huskies responded with their most critical stretch of the half. Kayla Stressman (Harleysville, Pa./North Penn) sparked the surge with a man-down goal, and following a brief Shepherd push, Bloomsburg closed the half on a 3-0 run. Sitko and Emily Simpson (North Wales, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) each converted on free-position opportunities before Austin added a goal in the final second of the half, sending the Huskies into the break with a 7-4 lead.
 
The Huskies carried that momentum into the third quarter with another decisive run. Sitko opened the half with her third goal, and Kendall Kroniser (St. Michael's, Md./Saints Peter and Paul) added a free-position score before Stressman finished a feed from Simpson to cap a 3-0 burst that extended the lead to 10-4. Shepherd countered with three consecutive goals to cut into the deficit, but Stressman halted the rally with her third goal of the afternoon, giving Bloomsburg an 11-7 edge heading into the fourth.
 
Bloomsburg put the game away early in the final period with its most explosive run of the day. Reiley Knize (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) converted a free-position attempt, and Stressman followed just 25 seconds later to ignite a 4-1 stretch. Samantha Keck (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) added a goal off an assist from Simpson, pushing the lead to 14-8 and reestablishing control.
 
After Shepherd attempted to climb back within five, the Huskies delivered the final dagger with a 3-0 run in the closing minutes. Gauker and Stressman scored back-to-back goals before Keck capped the performance with a goal in the final second to secure the 17-11 victory.
 
Defensively, Bloomsburg was sharp throughout, forcing 21 turnovers and limiting Shepherd's efficiency despite 29 shots. The Huskies were a perfect 17-for-17 on clears and controlled the ground ball battle, 25-22, while also holding an edge in draw controls (15-11). Simpson led the Huskies with nine draw controls while Sitko had a team-best two caused turnovers and five ground balls.
 
Goalkeeper Emily Graham (Wantagh, N.Y./St. Anthony's) anchored the unit with eight saves, including several key stops during Shepherd runs that prevented momentum swings.
 
Stressman led all scorers with five goals, while Sitko added three goals and five ground balls. Austin and Keck each finished with two goals, and Simpson contributed a goal and two assists to pace a balanced offensive effort that saw eight different Huskies find the back of the net.
 
With the win, Bloomsburg not only secured an important conference result but also marked a historic milestone, as Hertz's 92nd career victory establishes her as the winningest coach in program history.
 
The Huskies return to action on Monday, April 13 when they travel to Georgian Court for a non-conference contest in Lakewood, N.J. at 2:00 p.m.