BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Oct. 19, 2006) – Senior forward Megan Novogratz (Allentown, PA/Central Catholic) ripped home a shot on a breakaway with 14 seconds left in overtime as Alvernia College, ranked #20 in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, defeated #12 Rowan 3-2 Thursday afternoon in non-conference field hockey action at Alvernia.

            Junior forward Shayna Clark (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) narrowly missed putting the Crusaders up in the early going as her shot from just inside the circle bounced wide of the far post.  Novogratz found the back of the cage moments later when she tipped in a shot from Jessie Titus (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) in the sixth minute. 

            The Crusaders (14-2) went up 2-0 just over a minute later when Becky Macchione (Richland, PA/Conrad Weiser) ripped home her team-leading 14th goal of the season.  The goal was Macchione’s school record 85th of her career and her 200th career point.  The senior forward became the 17th player in Division III history to reach the 200 point plateau.

            Alvernia held a 6-3 advantage in shots in the first half and sophomore goalie Audrey Hoffman (Mertztown, PA/Brandywine Heights) made two saves before the break to preserve a 2-0 lead.

            Rowan built steady pressure through the second half and finally broke through for its first goal of the game in the 48th minute when junior forward Danielle Miranda (Flanders, NJ/Mount Olive) registered her team-best 15th goal of the season.  The pressure continued for the Profs (10-5) with Miranda scoring again in the 66th minute to tie the score at 2-2.

            The guests nearly stole the victory late in regulation, but Alvernia senior defender Melissa Senick (Reading, PA/Central Catholic) helped the Crusaders force the overtime period with a sprawling defensive save.

            The Rowan pressure continued into the overtime session with the Profs holding a 6-3 advantage in shots during the extra time, but it was Novogratz who broke through with just 14 seconds remaining to give the Crusaders the victory and even the series record at 1-1.  Alvernia improved to 35-4 in game which Macchione and Novogratz both score at least one goal.

            Alvernia will wrap up the conference schedule playing the final 14 minutes of a halted game at Marywood on Saturday morning before heading down to DeSales University for a non-conference tilt with the Bulldogs.

Alvernia 3, Rowan 2 (OT)