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EAST STROUDSBURG - Ally Kirkpatrick scored the game's only goal in the 59th minute to give Kutztown a 1-0 win over East Stroudsburg University in PSAC women's soccer action in the 2014 season opener for both schools Thursday night at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
 
ESU won the previous two meetings with Kutztown, 1-0, but Kirkpatrick scored after a free kick to put the Golden Bears in front after a scoreless first half.
 
Deanna Messner made three saves in goal for Kutztown, which was picked fourth in the PSAC preseason poll.
 
ESU, eighth of 17 schools in the preseason poll, got five saves from freshman Jules Harris in her collegiate debut.
 
ESU's best scoring chance came in the 20th minute, when senior midfielder Courtney Keller hit the crossbar with a shot from just outside the penalty area.
 
Kutztown held a 9-6 advantage in shots and ESU had a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.
 
Three freshmen started their first career game for ESU - Harris, midfielder Sammi Ortiz and back Amanda Vojta. ESU's other eight starters are all returners from the 2013 team.
 
The Warriors are at Edinboro, fifth in the PSAC preseason poll, on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The Fighting Scots lost 2-1 (OT) to Gannon in their season opener on Thursday night and make the short trip to Erie to play Mercyhurst on Saturday.

GAME NOTES
* ESU is 4-2-2 in season openers under 8th-year head coach Rob Berkowitz, and 69-51-16 overall under Berkowitz since 2007.