BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Sept. 29, 2007) – Albright College scored late in regulation and earned a 2-2 draw with Alvernia College Saturday afternoon in non-conference women's soccer action at Schlager Memorial Field.

Freshman defender Allison Yoder cleaned up a bouncing ball in front of the Alvernia net in the 83rd minute that knotted the game at 2-2. Three minutes later the Crusaders (4-5-2) missed a golden opportunity to retake the lead. Senior Brandi Light (Myerstown, Pa./Tulpehocken) broke from her mark on a corner kick and redirected the ball past the Albright keeper only to see the far post defender clear the ball off the line.

The Albright keeper, Jess Schmura, made three saves in overtime including another point-blank effort by Light near the end of the first extra period. Alvernia junior Danielle Fitzpatrick (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) made eight saves for the game, one in overtime.

Albright opened the scoring in the 35th minute on a goal by Amy Hoelscher as the Lions (4-4-1) converted on one of their 10 corner kicks. The score remained 1-0 through the end of the first half with Albright outshooting Alvernia 9-6 and getting six corners to zero for the hosts in the opening 45 minutes.

Alvernia quickly tied the score in the second half on a Casey Weber (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) penalty kick in the 50th minute. The Albright defense was whistled for pushing in the penalty box and Weber calmly slipped the ball past a diving Schmura.

Freshman Stephanie Loftus (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) gave Alvernia its first lead of the day on a beautiful header in the 71st minute. Junior Patricia Lapinsky (Magnolia, Del./St. Thomas More) lifted a cross from the right side that fell to Loftus just short of the endline. Loftus worked what little angle she had to squeeze the ball past the defense and just inside the post for a 2-1 lead.

Both teams pressed with chances to score in the next 10 minutes with Yoder netting the equalizer with less than eight minutes on the clock.

Alvernia finished with a 19-16 advantage in shots and Albright had a 10-8 lead in corners.

Alvernia will continue its mini three-game, non-conference stretch with a 4:00 p.m. game at Penn State-Berks.

Alvernia 2, Albright 2 (2 OT)