Kutztown, the #4 team in DII's ACRA, kicked off its league season this past weekend, defeating Delaware 44-0 and looking like a strong contender for the MARC title.

Both sides struggled with consistency in the opening 10 minutes, so Kutztown captain Faith Hughes stepped in and lent some wisdom. She calmed down her teammates, instructed them to rely on their training, and immediate results followed. Her fellow forwards began controlling the pace, and minutes after Hughes’ pep talk, flanker Amber DeFabio was breaking through the defense for the first of the openside’s two tries.

“This fall we have been working very hard to widen our base of attack,” Kutztown coach Sean Cobb said. “Last year, we were a forward-dominated team that loved to play in the middle of the field. This year, we want to move the ball from sideline to sideline in an attempt to widen our attack.”

That attacking model came into play during the following two tries, as outside center Tabetha Super, who was later named MVP of the match, and fullback Shannon Millar logged 20-plus-meter scores. Rounding out the first half, lock Kayla Shirk tacked on another five-pointer, barreling through the Blue Hens’ defense for the 22-0 lead at the break.

In the second stanza, the forwards continued to control possession, while the backline attacked in space. The halfback pairing of scrumhalf Sharyn Beodeker and flyhalf Beth Mulleady did a great job of changing the point of attack, and consequently, the Delaware defense could not find its rhythm. The half saw wings Payton McCord and Danielle Ashway, Mulleady and DeFabio touch down tries, and McCord recorded two conversions on the day for the 44-0 win.

“This was a great way to open the season,” Cobb said. “The team went through their phase play and took advantage of the situations that arose throughout the game. I am very proud of the girls for putting into play all of the things we have been practicing. We are constantly discussing the principles of play and the keys to the game, and today they executed those principles and keys throughout the match.”

Kutztown competes in MARC’s Tri-State Division, which also saw Rowan University inaugurate its first-ever season in the conference. Trading punches throughout the match, LaSalle’s defense tightened up in the second half and produced a 44-33 victory over Rowan.

St. Joseph’s showcased some offensive flare in its 33-5 win over The College of New Jersey, which is now 0-2 in league play.

MARC’s Pennsylvania Division saw three games contested as well. Bloomsburg recorded its first win of the season with a 13-5 victory over East Stroudsburg; York College and Lock Haven played to a 5-5 draw; and MARC newcomer Millersville is now 2-0 after its 12-0 triumph over Scranton.