BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Sept. 12, 2007) – It was one of the most anticipated home-openers in the history of Women's Soccer at Alvernia College. With five first-year players in the starting lineup, a senior approaching a program milestone, and a team that earned its first tournament title just over a week ago, Alvernia nearly wrote the perfect ending, but Centenary freshman Sam Pena spoiled it scoring on a header in the 81st minute for a 2-1 Cyclones victory Wednesday afternoon at Schlager Memorial Field.

Centenary (1-2-1, 1-0 PAC) earned its first conference victory in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference scoring first in the ninth minute, and answering Alvernia's 70th minute goal with the eventual game-winner.

Alvernia pressed forward in the final nine minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net against Centenary freshman Ashley Denti. The best chance for the hosts came in with under five minutes to play when senior midfielder Laura-Beth Diggs (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) lobbed a shot from the right side of the box that sent Denti backpedaling into the cage just as the ball cleared the crossbar and hung harmlessly in the top of the net.

A pair of freshmen combined to knot the score at 1-1 for Alvernia. Casey Weber (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), the team's leader in assists now with four, found classmate Stephanie Loftus (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) who tallied her third goal of the season with just over 20 minutes left in regulation.

Alvernia junior Danielle Fitzpatrick (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) made five saves in net for the Crusaders (2-3, 0-1 PAC), while Denti saved four for the Cyclones.

Alvernia will continue the brief home stand hosting the College of Notre Dame on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Centenary 2, Alvernia 1