BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Apr. 18, 2007) – Alvernia College surrendered six fourth-quarter goals to Eastern University while scoring none of its own in a 14-8 loss Wednesday afternoon in Pennsylvania Athletic Conference men’s lacrosse action at Schlager Memorial Field.

            Both teams entered Wednesday’s tilt with identical 2-2 records in conference play and sharing the fourth and final playoff position with three games remaining.  Alvernia (4-8, 2-3 PAC) scored the final goal of the third quarter to knot the score at 8-all, but Eastern (6-7, 3-2 PAC) rattled off six straight to earn the win.

            Alvernia freshman Chris Baker (Exeter, PA/Exeter) and junior Tom Novak (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove) opened the scoring with unassisted goals to give the host Crusaders an early 2-0 lead.  Eastern scored its first goal of the game at 6:25 of the first and added a pair of man-up goals for a 3-2 lead at the close of the quarter.

            Alvernia tied the score on Adam Schmidt’s (Allentown, PA/Parkland) goal to open the second, but Eastern posted another 3-2 edge in goals in the second quarter for a 6-4 lead at halftime.

            Novak and sophomore Tom Fraker (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) scored the first two goals after the break to knot the score at 6-6, and after Eastern reestablished the two-goal cushion Fraker assisted on goals by Sean Cullen (Lincoln Park, NJ/Booton) and Martin Novia (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville) to tie the score at 8-8 after three.

            Novak finished the day with a team-best three goals while Fraker pitched in with a goal and two assists.  Freshman Mark Lenahan (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) made seven saves in net for the Crusaders.

            Alvernia will continue the conference schedule at Misericordia on Saturday.

Eastern 14, Alvernia 8