Reading, Pa (Sunday Nov. 15, 2009) - The Vern snapped a three game losing skid with a tough win over the Lehigh University Engineers. Alvernia has fallen from grace after an early season run which earned them a respectful #3 in the Atlantic Ranking of the ACHA. Since the high water mark ranking the Vern has stumbled dropping five of the last eight games. The recent poll rankings had Alvernia sliding down the charts to the #11 position in the Atlantic Rankings. Fortunately the Crusaders managed a split this weekend after getting the doors blown off in Atlantic City on Saturday.

Stephen Waricka (Millstone, NJ / Allentown, NJ) helped Alvernia climb on top early in the first period feeding a pass across the low slot to line mate Zane Camburn (Riegelsville, Pa / Nazareth, Pa) who finished strong dealing through traffic in front. Camburn's presence in the line up extends much deeper than a scoring threat, the two- way center adjusts easily to line changes and always is a physical force on the ice.

The Vern came out of the first intermission with a quick goal to start the second period. Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown) scored the eventual game winner at the 0:58 second mark of the period. The 2 goal margin would hold up over the final two periods. Lehigh tallied on a fluke shot redirected at Alvernia goaltender Jim Fynes (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) at the midway point of the period. The score remained knotted at 2-1 and the Crusaders created numerous chances failing to beat the Engineer goaltender that stopped quality chances keeping the game tight.

The Crusaders started the final period with a flurry of shots but did not connect until he 14:24 mark when Alvernia captain Anthony Froio (Glenolden, Pa / Interboro HS) smacked home a rebound for his seventh goal of the season. Additional Crusaders goal scorers included Eric Phillips (Rivers Edge, NJ / River Dell Regional) and Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa / Sun Valley HS). The final goal of the evening and quite possibly the most notable occurred with just one tick remaining on the clock. Senior Defenseman Michael Smith (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) scored his first collegiate ACHA goal. Smith harmlessly dumped the puck from center ice as time was expiring on the game clock. The puck managed to escape several Lehigh players and slid slowly in the Engineer net-minders skate deflecting just over the goal line as game clock reached 0:01.
The Vern will need to lock and load and rediscover the fire and passion that made them an early season favorite in the DVCHC. This weekend the Crusader's will travel to Neumann University for a Saturday evening conference showdown.

Special Team Kudos:

- Perfect 6-6 on the penalty kill
- Ian Meiskey awarded the most exciting play in hockey, the PENALTY SHOT. If it wasn't mentioned in the game recap you can guess the result.
- Lowest Combined Penalty Totals for any game this season (8)

Did You Notice:

- Coach Plue did not get outcoached by the Engineer's bench coach as promised, but it was close for awhile….
- Lehigh has a version of Alvernia's Christian Baron #20, except his name is spelled Christron Beren #7, that's why he goes to Lehigh.
- DEFENSIVE TANDEMS *Father Judge HS Andrew Dziedzic, lived out the dream, paired with fellow *Father Judge Alum Howard Bates.
- Cookies and Game Pucks for the South Reading Youth Initiative fans