9/2/26
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – Lackawanna College women's soccer begins a tough two-game stretch on Wednesday afternoon, as the Falcons get set to host the Kutztown Golden Bears for a contest against a PSAC opponent, kicking off at 3:30pm ET at Schautz Stadium in Dunmore.
 
The Falcons
Lackawanna (0-1-0) enters the game after falling to Shippensburg by a 6-0 margin in its last game. The Raiders had 31 shots and controlled possession throughout, putting the Falcons on the backfoot and defensive all afternoon. You can read the full recap HERE.
 
Keeper Sophia Arvelo (Allentown, PA) had ten saves, under constant pressure. Tazjeane Bird (Upper Darby, PA) and MacKenzie Seifried (Winfield, NJ) each recorded shots for the Falcons on Saturday.
 
Hired in July 2025, coach Juan Almonte cobbled together a roster and competed for ten games last season, sometimes competing with just nine student-athletes, but the Falcons program made great strides, and coach Almonte hit the recruiting trail hard to find young, talented players.
 
With only three returning players from last season, the Falcons have a lot of young, first-year players set to step into major roles in 2026. One of those young players is up front, Aislyn Fitzgerald (Langhorne, PA), who coach Almonte feels can have an immediate impact on how the Falcons attack. Fitzgerald is a first-year player who starred at Neshaminy HS, making the District 1 Class 4A quarterfinals and ran hurdles for Neshaminy in her time there.
 
In the midfield, Darexy Monroy (Pleasantville, NJ) can provide immediate offensive bite, while controlling the middle of the park. Monroy had 103 goals and 45 assists in her high school career. She also played flag football in high school.
 
At the back, the Falcons will rely on players like Kosisochukwu Nwozuzu (Brooklyn, NY) to help add some strength to the defensive front. Nwozuzu is a strong, physical player that can help shore up the middle of the defense in front of Arvelo, a four-year starter in high school at Bethlehem Catholic who has great shot-stopping ability and is comfortable with the ball at her feet.
 
The Golden Bears
Kutztown (1-0-1) enters the game unbeaten to start the season, picking up a 3-1 win at Charleston to start the year, and drawing with West Virginia State this past Sunday. Against WVSU, all the scoring happened in the second half, and Kutztown had to rally with 15 minutes to go to earn a draw. WVSU scored a goal in the 49^th minute, only to see Kutztown answer in the 56^th minute. Just 30 seconds later, WVSU scored again to reclaim the lead. It looked like the Jackets would hang on for the win, but Kutztown rallied and drew level with a goal in the 76^th minute, which is how the game would end. Kutztown outshot WVSU 14-5 and had eleven corner kicks.
 
The Bears, who were receiving votes just outside the top 25 in the pre-season, have scored five goals in two games, averaging 21 shots per game, while limiting their opponents to just 15 in two games so far.
 
Kutztown returns two of its top three scorers from lats year, with top offensive threat Corinne Morgan returning. She had 13 goals and four assists to help the Bears achieve a runners-up spot in the PSAC and an NCAA appearance. Joining her is defender Maura Day, who had two goals and ten assists from her defensive spot.
 
In two games this year, first-year player Giavanna Marciano leads the team with two goals, while three other players each have a goal scored. Meanwhile, between the pipes, Morgan O'Donnell returns. She played 20 games last season, and she has started one of the two games this year for the Bears.
 
Long-time mentor Erik Burstein is the head coach for the Bears, now in his 19^th season with the program. Burstein holds a 246-93-34 overall record at Kutztown, getting the Bears to the NCAA DII tournament in 13 seasons and getting KU into the United Soccer Coaches National poll in each of his last 16 seasons. His best season may have been in 2016, when the Bears reached the national semi-finals. Burstein is an accomplished coach, a three-time KU Coach of the Year and a 2017 PSAC Coach of the Year.
 
The Bears were picked to finish second in the competitive PSAC East in the preseason poll. West Chester, up to #3 in the nation, was picked as the top team in the east, while Bloomsburg was third and #19 Shepherd was picked to finish fourth. KU received votes in the preseason poll from the United Soccer Coaches, but was not in the last released poll.
 
Game Details
Kutztown University (1-0-1) at Lackawanna College (0-1-0)
Wednesday 9/2, 3:30pm ET; Schautz Stadium (1220 Prescott Avenue, Dunmore, PA 18512)
 
Live Video: lackawannafalcons.com/LIVE
Live Stats: lackawannafalcons.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Tickets: lackawannafalcons.com/tickets
 
Tickets for fans can be purchased at the link above in advance, or in-person when walking into the venue. Tickets for students (12 and younger) and seniors (65 and older) are $6, while regular adult tickets are $11. Tickets are digital, and all ticket purchases, both online and in-person, are handled digitally.
 
The live stream is free to watch on the Lackawanna College Athletics Network.
 
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Next up, Lackawanna College continues a tough stretch in the PSAC east with a road contest at #3 West Chester University on Saturday, September 5^th. Kickoff is set for 12:00pm ET in West Chester, PA.