Reading, Pa. (October 28, 2006) - The Crusaders trounced DeSales University 13-2, and improved to 3-0 on the season. The Vern set a club record with ten unanswered goals in the second period. They may have looked rather tentative in the opening frame with a 2-0 lead, but the Crusaders harnessed those home-opening jitters into a scoring festival over the second frame. The cavalcade of scoring was distributed evenly across the roster with night different Crusaders burying the puck.
Pete Cirard (Levittown, PA/ Harry Truman HS) opened the scoring early in the first period with a power play tally. Captain Ryan Kelly (Ardmore, PA/Lower Merion HS) picked up his first point of the evening sliding the puck to Cirard unattended left of the crease and Cirard’s shot had eyes, finding a slight opening between the post and pads. Sophomore Billy Heller (Reamstown, PA/Cocalico HS) added what proved to be an insurmountable lead sailing a left circle shot past the DeSales netminder for the 2-0 advantage. The first period was penalty laden for the Crusaders, which only postponed the inevitable storyline for DeSales this evening. The new standard of rules enforcement policy served up 14 total penalties in the opening period.
A fast and furious second period completely overwhelmed DeSales with Alvernia bombarding 20 shots, while converting 10 in the cage. The offensive clinic was a Halloween Horror show for the visiting Bulldogs. All three lines gave generously as second line center David Warriner (Phoenixville, PA/Methacton HS) mailed home his first collegiate goal. Warriner has been instrumental in setting up linemates Kelly and Cirard, while attracting the attention of opposing defense with crafty puck handling. Warriner combines a lethal arsenal of finesse and strength to the productive second line. Kelly, the benefactor of Warriner’s sniper passes, created some highlight reel breakaway goals that found twine twice. Kelly, Warriner and Cirard chipped in with a combined nine point night.
The gritty play of third liner Joe Pietrobone (Reading, PA/Reading HS) didn’t go unnoticed with goal scoring efforts in back to back games. The tireless work of third line center #John Caputo#(Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) was well rewarded with a goal for the third consecutive game. Blueliner’s Brent Reed (Hamburg, PA/Hamburg HS) and Steve Schlegel (Morrisville, PA/Conwell Egan) also kept the goal judge busy with one apiece. Defenseman Reed engineered several scores and posted four points for a team high. Senior Conor Delaney (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) was the recipient of Reed’s beautifully placed shot from the point. Working the tip drill to perfection, Delaney posted up in the slot and redirected a Reed shot into the left corner of the cage. The third period power play tally from Delany came during a five on three advantage. The defense had few moments of concern and successfully killed 12 penalties. Goalies Chris Medico (Madison NJ/Madison HS) and Matt Rodenberger (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge HS) combined for the win stopping 29 shots.
Did You Notice ?
Pietrobone’s skates haven’t been sharpened in two years. Put a fresh edge on those blades Petey Bone!
Alvernia College Mascot “ Cruz”, unveiled for the first time at Collegiate game. Who was that masked Crusader?
