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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University women's lacrosse will have a new look on the sidelines during the 2022 season as Kristen Nicholson begins her stint as head coach for the Golden Bears. Kutztown's season and home opener is set for Thursday, March 3, at 4 p.m., against Caldwell from Keystone Field.
 
Nicholson takes over a program searching for continued success, especially in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Last season, KU finished 1-12 overall and 1-11 in the PSAC, its lone victory a 12-11 win over Millersville on March 23, 2021. The Maroon and Gold dropped the final nine games of the season, but Nicholson brings a new energy to the program and that has motivated the group.
 
"I'm looking forward to seeing the holistic transformation of our program," said Nicholson. "The team has already had significant growth from the fall to spring. I'm really excited to watch our athletes realize the benefits of their hard work and dedication."
 
Nicholson began her tenure at KU back on August 3, coming from Moravian University where she was head coach for five seasons. She has had the full fall offseason of practice and a preseason to acclimate herself to her new team.
 
"Since I arrived at KU, each individual athlete has been eager to learn, improve and grow to become well rounded lacrosse players," Nicholson said. "I continue to get to know each of our athletes on an individual basis, and they have been dedicated and determined in every aspect."
 
Nicholson may be new, but she also has a roster filled with underclassmen and some inexperience. Peyton Shima (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) is the lone senior and with the 2020 season getting canceled after just five games, the majority of the Golden Bears have just a year or two of playing experience under their belts. This has brought the team together and kept them close, according to Nicholson.
 
"One philosophy that I've brought to KU is that we are all in this process together," Nicholson said. "Each fall the team decides on a mantra for the year to come. This year they've selected 'Together all in, all in together'. I believe this is the perfect phrase for the 2022 season. No matter what, we are all on this journey together."
 
The Kutztown offense scored 99 goals last season, 14 different Golden Bears finding the back of the net, led by 18 from junior Morgan Hurd (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland). Classmate Cyrose Conteh (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) also tallied double-digits goals, finishing with 15. Sophomore midfielders Emma Meakim (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) and Shannon Lake (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford) were near the top of the scoring list for KU with eight and five goals, respectively. Nicholson believes the offensive numbers will increase and it will remain balanced.
 
"Our offense will be dynamic but disciplined, fast but calculated and always systematic," said Nicholson. "We have threats woven all throughout the attack and our motions will complement our strengths."
 
Defensively, Kutztown is also expected to make a jump from last season, where it gave up 210 goals, the most in the PSAC. Junior goalie Jenna Blesson (Sparta, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional), along with defenders Brooke-Lynn Grim (Abbottstown, Pa./New Oxford) and Sydnie Bisesi (Denton, Md./North Caroline) are back with experience starting on defense last season.
 
"Our defense has transformed completely from where it was at the beginning of the fall," Nicholson said. "Our defenders have bought in and are executing as a true unit. I have high hopes for the KU defense."
 
Following the opener Thursday, KU has three straight road games and does not return to Keystone Field until Wednesday, March 16. Those are Kutztown's only two home games in March. The PSAC home opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, against West Chester at 1 p.m.