BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Sept 19, 2006) – Alvernia College rode a number of common themes to a 4-2 win over College Misericordia Tuesday afternoon in Pennsylvania Athletic Conference field hockey action at Alvernia.

            For the fifth time in six games Alvernia scored the first goal of the game.  For the third time in as many games, the Crusaders held a two-goal lead at the break.  For the fifth time in six games, seniors Becky Macchione (Richland, PA/Conrad Weiser) and Megan Novogratz (Allentown, PA/Central Catholic) scored at least one goal each, and most importantly for the fifth time, Alvernia College picked up a victory.

            Macchione opened the scoring in the 12th minute breaking through for an unassisted goal after the Crusaders (5-1, 3-0 PAC) applied much of the early pressure.  Novogratz pushed her points scored streak to 11 games assisting on a Jessie Titus (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) goal seven minutes later and the Crusaders maintained their 2-0 into halftime.

            Misericordia senior Amy Ruda (Dallas, PA/Lake-Lehman) cut the lead in half just over a minute into the second half scoring her second goal of the season unassisted.  The Crusaders wasted no time responding as sophomore Christy Miller (Alburtis, PA/Brandywine Heights) ripped home her third of the season 36 seconds later.

            Novogratz hammered home her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 41st minute and Ruda tallied again in the 55th minute assisted by Kelly Dougherty (Shavertown, PA/Lake-Lehman).  The Cougars (4-4, 2-1 PAC) continued to apply the pressure through the final 15 minutes of play, but could get no closer than the 4-2 final.

            Alvernia starter Mandy Yocum (Morgantown, PA/Twin Valley) played 47:52 allowing just one goal without a save, and Audrey Hoffman (Mertztown, PA/Brandywine Heights) finished the game and made eight saves in the final 22:08.  Misericordia keeper Ellen Howanitz (Shickshinny, PA/Northwest) went the distance for the Cougars and made nine saves.

            Alvernia improved to 31-4 over the past three-plus years in games that Macchione and Novogratz score at least one goal each.  Alvernia will continue the conference schedule at home on Thursday when it hosts Gwynedd-Mercy College in a 4:00 p.m. game.

Alvernia 4, Misericordia 2