Whitehall High School graduate and Kutztown University senior, Cassie Schmidt, wrapped up her collegiate soccer career with a trip to the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships as a defensive back for Kutztown University’s soccer team.

“It was crazy,” Schmidt said. “We had never made it past the first round.”

This year, the Golden Bears made it far past the first round when they went to the Final Four on Dec. 1 in Kansas City, Mo.

A 3-0 loss to Western Washington in the semifinal, however, did nothing to dampen the spirits with which the Kutztown women’s soccer team came to Kansas City.

“I couldn’t even tell you I was sad, but it was the last game I’ll play, and I didn’t want that to end,” said Schmidt. “We achieved something remarkable, and when it was over, we all got in a huddle and did our K.U. chant, so it wasn’t really about the loss but being together as a team and finishing out the season that way.”

What was remarkable was that the Golden Bears exceeded all expectations, capturing their first Atlantic Region title, and advancing to the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four for the first time in program history.

Kutztown advanced to the Final Four after a 1-0 victory over Bridgeport on Nov. 20.

“When I heard that buzzer go off, it was shocking, but we believed in ourselves,” Schmidt said. “It was a very defensive game, and we defended for our lives.”

The Golden Bears defense included Schmidt, Dana Wong, Katie Miller, and Christina Miller, an underclassmen who had stepped in quite competently during the season for an injured starter, and Imani Taylor, Kutztown’s goalie.

“Imani had the game of her life. She had about 11 shots saved, and they were crazy saves that most goalies wouldn’t have saved,” said Schmidt.

Before Kutztown’s victory over Bridgeport, the Golden Bears defeated West Chester 3-2.

“We were definitely concerned. It’s always a rivalry, so there was the added pressure, but we were a completely different team [at the end of the season]. We were on a roll by that time,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt was named to the 2016 NSCAA All-Atlantic Region Third Team and the 2016 All-PSAC Third Team.

“I’m happy to be able to go out the way we did,” Schmidt said. “It was my favorite season.”