Erin Gonzalez had the ultimate prize in mind when she picked her college destination. A national championship. Could she win one of those at Kutztown University?
Marci Scheuing convinced Gonzalez she could. KU’s coach went so far as to promise it would happen at some point during the Garden Spot grad’s four seasons.
That was a bold prediction, particularly when Kutztown had never done it before.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean,” Scheuing said. “I truly believed it at the time.”
Turns out four years weren’t needed. Only two.
Gonzalez helped Kutztown knock off defending champ East Stroudsburg 2-1 in the NCAA Division II field hockey final at Manchester, New Hampshire, Sunday.
To reach the top of the mountain, and overtake some of the PSAC giants in the way, Kutztown had to up its recruiting game. Gonzalez was part of that process.
“You need someone on your team that when the game is on the line will do anything to put that ball in the cage,” Scheuing said. “That’s her role. That’s who Erin Gonzalez is. She’s incredible to coach. Anything I’ve asked her to do, she can do.”
Gonzalez scored nine goals in 15 games as a freshman. She was tied for the team lead with eight goals in 22 games this season.
The sophomore found field hockey later than most players at her level. She didn’t discover it until older sister Aubry started playing. Erin picked up a stick for the first time in seventh grade. She never wanted to put it down.
“One thing led to another and I ended up loving the sport,” Gonzalez said. “It came naturally to me. That’s what was so fun about it. You want to see how good you can get and just keep going.”
Gonzalez was a coveted prospect by the time she was helping Garden Spot win a section championship as a senior. Scheuing was concerned she might lose Gonzalez to a bigger or more established program.
Once Gonzalez committed to Kutztown, she made an immediate impact. She started the first game and has been a fixture in the lineup.
Scheuing had no choice. She couldn’t keep Gonzalez off the field.
“She’ll outwork anybody,” Kutztown’s coach said. “Anybody you would try to compare her to and say, ‘Should we start her over Erin?’ You could never justify it because of the work rate of this kid. She works harder than any athlete I’ve coached in 15 years.”
Kutztown (19-3) entered the NCAA Tournament as the third seed. The Golden Bears knocked off Shippensburg and East Stroudsburg on the way to the title. They were 0-3 against those teams during the regular season. All were one-goal losses, including an overtime setback to Ship in the PSAC semifinals.
After not being invited to the NCAA playoffs despite winning the PSAC regular-season crown last season, the Golden Bears were motivated this time.
Kutztown has two other Lancaster-Lebanon League alumni on its roster. Cedar Crest’s Paige Bucher, a freshman, played in the midfield. Elizabethtown’s Alaina Telenko, a senior, was the backup goalie.
It’s a close-knit group.
“We go out there and play for each other,” Gonzalez said. “There’s no better feeling than doing it as a team and how rewarding it is when you do it for others and not yourself. That’s what makes this team so special.”
Scheuing, a Millersville grad, began her coaching career at Garden Spot. This was her 10th season at Kutztown. The Berks County native has built KU into a perennial power.
Most of Kutztown’s players are from Pennsylvania, including many from District Three. Gonzalez was a vital addition.
“She’s just the ultimate athlete,” Scheuing said. “She’s as fast as they come. She’s gritty. She’s a fierce competitor.”
Gonzalez said it was a rowdy six-hour bus ride home from New Hampshire with music playing, people singing and even a disco ball.
Two years after she took a leap of faith and picked Kutztown, Gonzalez grabbed her national title. She has two more years to chase another one.
Erin Gonzalez's eight goals were tied for the team lead for Kutztown.
