BOX SCORE | PHOTOS

Reading, Pa. (Aug. 31, 2007) – Franklin & Marshall scored on a breakaway goal in the final minute of play and again in similar fashion seven minutes into overtime for a 2-1 win over #20 Alvernia College Friday afternoon in non-conference field hockey action at Alvernia.

The Crusaders (0-1) took a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute of play when senior Amber Landis (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) stuffed home a shot from a scrum just in front of the cage. The hosts had several other first-half opportunities with nine penalty corners to just two for the Diplomats, but couldn't find the insurance goal.

The second half was a bit more balanced in terms of offensive opportunities with both teams earning four corners and Alvernia holding just an 8-5 advantage in shots after a 10-4 gap in the first.

With just under a minute on the clock the Diplomats earned possession in the midfield and sent freshman Eileen O'Reilly (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y./Briarcliff) streaking toward the cage. Alvernia keeper Audrey Hoffman (Mertztown, Pa./Brandywine Heights) left her line to challenge O'Reilly, but the ball slid past Hoffman and O'Reilly calmly dropped it into the empty net with just 48 seconds left.

Alvernia responded with pressure to open the 7-on-7 overtime period, but again failed to turn consistent offensive pressure into a game-winner. Instead, it was F&M junior Pamela Cassidy (Woodbury, Conn./Westover) who scored on another breakaway to spoil the home opener and give the Diplomats the 2-1 win.

Alvernia finished with a 19-12 edge in shots and a 13-6 lead in corners. Hoffman made six saves while her counterpart, F&M junior Jennifer Burdo (Narbeth, Pa./Harriton) made seven saves.
Alvernia will have little time to dwell on the loss as it heads to Susquehanna University for an 11:00 a.m. non-conference tilt on Sunday.

Franklin & Marshall 2, Alvernia 1 (OT)