BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Oct. 11, 2008) - Alvernia University sophomore Kirsten Kelley (Kirkwood, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) recorded 19 saves Saturday afternoon in a 4-3 loss to DeSales University (5-5-1, 2-0) in Freedom Conference women's soccer action at Sovereign Bank Sports Park.

The 19 saves was six short of the Alvernia record for saves in a game and kept the Crusaders (6-7, 1-2) in the game until the end.  Three different freshman scored for Alvernia including Amy Mesce (Pittstown, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional) who netted her fourth goal of the season.

DSU opened the scoring on a penalty kick from Emily LaDuke in the seventh minute, but Alvernia responded quickly with freshman Rachel Gimber (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) beating the defense down the left wing before driving a shot inside the near post.

Alvernia took a 2-1 lead when Mesce lofted a shot from well outside the goal box that sailed over the outstretched arms of DSU keeper Katie Halpin just over a minute later.

The game seemed headed for record breaking numbers when DSU tallied the fourth goal of the game in just the 24th minute.  Jill Yetter hit a cross over Kelley and Dana Eustace planted her seventh goal of the season on a diving header at the back post.

The offenses cooled down for the last 20 minutes of the first half as both teams talked over a 2-2 tie.  Kelley posted eight of her 19 saves in the first 45 minutes.

The tandem of Yetter and Eustace struck again in the 63rd minute for a 3-2, DSU lead and LaDuke netted her second goal of the game and fifth of the season in the 76th minute.

Alvernia pushed forward and cut the deficit in half on Jenna Sinko's (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Hubert) second goal of the year.  Junior Kate McCaffrey (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Hubert) crossed a ball to Sinko at the top of the goalie box and Sinko touched the ball down a placed a shot in the top left corner to pull within one.

Alvernia managed a few chances in the last 10 minutes, but couldn't find the equalizer as it dropped to 1-2 early in conference play.

Alvernia will take a week off before hosting Wilkes College as part of another women's and men's doubleheader next Saturday at Sovereign Bank Sports Park.

DeSales 4, Alvernia 3