KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The third-ranked Kutztown College soccer staff is again within the NCAA Division II semifinals for the second time in three years and can look to make historical past on Saturday when it faces No. 2 Harding (Ark.) at Andre Reed Stadium at 3:30 p.m., reside on ESPN+, for a spot within the nationwide championship sport.
The Golden Bears are Bisons are two of the three remaining unbeaten groups in Division II together with top-seed Ferris State. All three groups enter the semifinal weekend sporting 14-0 data. Regardless of being beneath Harding within the nationwide polls, Kutztown held an edge within the metrics utilized by the championship committee to find out how the ultimate 4 groups had been reseeded forward of the semifinal spherical. The Golden Bears acquired the No. 2 seed and the best to host a nationwide semifinal sport for the primary time in program historical past.
TICKETS
Lined Reserved – $30
Reserved – $20
Normal Admission & KU Alumni – $10
Non-KU College students & Seniors (65+) – $5
Kids (6 and underneath) – FREE with paid grownup
KUTZTOWN NOTES
HEADLINES
- Kutztown is enjoying its file tenth sport at Andre Reed Stadium this season and fifth in a row courting again to the PSAC Championship sport on Nov. 15. The Bears’ most dwelling video games in a season previous to 2025 had been eight in 2019 and 2021.
- This marks the most recent in a calendar yr Kutztown has ever performed a sport in its 109-season historical past, surpassing its semifinal look at Colorado Faculty of Mines in 2023, which passed off on Dec. 9.
- Kutztown is enjoying its fifteenth sport of the season, matching a program file set again in 2023 (12-3). The Golden Bears have already set new single-season data for wins in a season (14), consecutive wins (14) and factors scored (618).
- Kutztown and Harding are the one groups in Division II to rank within the high 5 in each scoring offense and scoring protection. The Bisons common 44.7 factors per sport (third) and quit 9.6 per sport (first), whereas the Golden Bears rating 44.0 factors per sport (fourth) and yield 11.6 per sport (second).
- The winner of Saturday’s semifinal will advance to the NCAA DII nationwide championship sport at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas, subsequent Saturday, Dec. 20. No. 1 seed Ferris State (14-0) hosts No. 4 Newberry (12-1) in Saturday’s different semifinal at midday.
FINAL FOUR PLAYING
Kutztown is enjoying within the nationwide semifinals for the second time in three seasons and for simply the second time in program historical past. KU fell at No. 1 Colorado Faculty of Mines, 35-7, in 2023. That is the primary time Kutztown has ever hosted a semifinal sport.
FIRST-TIME OPPONENT
That is the primary ever assembly between the Golden Bears and Bisons and the primary time in program historical past Kutztown has confronted a staff out of the Nice American Convention (GAC).
RUSHING PROWESS
Kutztown and Harding are each run-heavy groups, the Bisons extra so than every other staff within the nation. Kutztown went over 3,000 yards speeding for the season as a staff in final weekend’s 52-29 quarterfinal spherical victory over No. 24 Frostburg State. The Golden Bears have set new single-season data for speeding yards (3,076), speeding touchdowns (49) and their 219.7 speeding yards per sport are at present the fifth most at school historical past.
Harding has already damaged its personal NCAA all-division speeding file with 6,308 yards, surpassing the 2023 staff’s whole of 6,160. The Bisons have run the ball 801 occasions and common 7.9 yards per carry.
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST
The Golden Bears surpassed 600 factors scored on the season (618) for the primary time in staff historical past with their third consecutive 50+ level efficiency within the playoffs in a 52-29 quarterfinal win over No. 24 Frostburg State. KU has put collectively three straight 50+ level video games for the primary time in its 109-season historical past and is outscoring its opponents a mixed 159-48 within the postseason. The Bears have reached the 50-point mark 4 occasions in 2025, second most behind the 2012 staff’s 5.
THE UNBEATENS
Kutztown and Harding are two of simply three undefeated groups in DII, becoming a member of No. 1 Ferris State. There are 10 remaining unbeaten groups throughout all ranges of faculty soccer.
SCHERNECKE NAMED FINALIST FOR GENE UPSHAW AWARD
Redshirt senior offensive deal with Ryan Schernecke (Hatboro, Pa./Higher Moreland) was introduced as one among eight nationwide finalists for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Yr Award. He’s the primary finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award from Kutztown since Jordan Morgan received the award in 2016.
HARLON HILL HOPEFUL
Redshirt junior quarterback Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) was named a nationwide finalist for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy, offered to the NCAA Division II Soccer Participant of the Yr. He’s the primary finalist for Kutztown since Andy Breault 1992 and fourth all-time.
AWARDS LINK
Kutztown and Harding are the one applications to function each a Harlon Hill Trophy and Gene Upshaw Award finalist this season. Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) (Harlon Hill) and Ryan Schernecke (Hatboro, Pa./Higher Moreland) (Gene Upshaw) are representing the Golden Bears, whereas fullback Andrew Miller (Harlon Hill) and offensive deal with Jake Mitchell (Gene Upshaw) are finalists from the Bisons.
NOVAK RAISING THE BAR
Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) has taken the mantle because the winningest quarterback in Kutztown soccer historical past this season. In 40 profession begins, the Manheim, Pa., native has posted a 37-3 file, together with back-to-back unbeaten common seasons.
Novak ranks fourth in program historical past in profession TD passes (69), fourth in profession passing yards (7,068), fifth in profession completions (517) and sixth in profession move makes an attempt (850). Different program nice signal-callers embody Kevin Morton (2009-12) and Collin DiGalbo (2016-19), who completed 29-13 and 29-8, respectively.
GOLDEN BEARS LAND RECORD 18 ON ALL-PSAC TEAMS
Kutztown claimed three main awards and positioned a program-record 18 gamers on this yr’s All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Convention (PSAC) Japanese Division groups.
Head coach Jim Clements received his sixth PSAC East Coach of the Yr Award (third straight), whereas quarterback Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) was named Offensive Athlete of the Yr and linebacker Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove) was voted Defensive Athlete of the Yr.
First Group honors went to Novak (QB), Steven Burkhardt (Gloucester Metropolis, N.J./Gloucester Metropolis) (RB), Billy Everitt (Abington, Pa./Abington) (OG), Ryan Schernecke (Hatboro, Pa./Higher Moreland) (OT), Hile (LB), Kyree Butler (Ambler, Pa./Higher Dublin) (DL), Lee Coleman (Salem, N.J./Salem) (DB), Mikey Grey (York, Pa./William Penn) (DL) and Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) (DL).
Incomes spots on the Second Group had been Adam Conklin (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) (OG), CJ Conti (Sea Isle Metropolis, N.J./Ocean Metropolis) (OC), Shane Hartman (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Decide) (OT), Noah Kracyla (Townsend, Del./Middletown) (WR), Luke Maxwell (Estell Manor, N.J./Delsea Regional) (TE), Jaedyn Stewart (Newfield, N.J./Delsea Regional) (RB), Jhaisir Harden (Glassboro, N.J./Glassboro) (DB), Eden Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Governor Mifflin) (LB) and Brandon Strausser (Studying, Pa./Governor Mifflin) (LB).
RETTER’S RESURGENCE
Restricted by harm early within the yr, redshirt junior defensive finish Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) has been on a tear recently. The 2024 PSAC East and D2CCA Tremendous Area 1 Defensive Participant of the Yr has registered a number of sacks in every of Kutztown’s postseason victories, amassing 6.5 over that span. Retter has sacks in 5 of his final six video games and has 8.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss on the season. The Quakertown, Pa., native additionally earned All-America honors with the Golden Bear wrestling staff in 2024-25, putting fifth at heavyweight.
SPECIALISTS SHINE
The Golden Bears have made vital performs on particular groups all season, blocking seven kicks, returning a kickoff for a landing and three punts for touchdowns (two off blocks). Kutztown’s seven blocked kicks are its most in a season since blocking seven in 2005. Lenniek Preston’s (Wilmington, Del./Conrad) 100-yard kick return TD towards Gannon, Sept. 20, was this system’s first kick return for a TD since 2023 and first 100-yard kick return TD since 2011.
Leave a Reply