Reading, Pa (Oct. 31, 2009) - The Crusaders continued their weekend offensive dominance drubbing Widener University with ten unanswered goals. The Vern has now won five straight over the visiting Pride. Seven different goal scorers led the Vern's offensive blitz. Goaltender Michael Restuccia (Chester Springs, Pa / Bishop Shanahan) recorded his fourth win of the season confidently keeping Widener quiet.
Widener jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the opening period. Alvernia Freshman Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa / Boyertown HS) evened up the game at the 5:05 mark of the period with a top shelf back hand from the lower right slot. The offensive play of the game was a beautiful cross ice pass through the neutral zone from soph. Sean Castineira (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) to Eric Phillips (Rivers Edge, NJ / Riverdell Regional HS) . The sneaky forward slipped behind the Widener defense turning the lead pass into a clean break away. Phillips deposited the puck cleanly over the glove hand for a winner.
The Crusaders skated to a sloppy 2-1 lead after one period noticeably outplayed by a short Widener bench. The careless style of play ended after the first period as the Vern came out determined to put the game away in the second period. Alvernia torched the Pride with five goals and a commanding 7-1 lead. Crusader goals included two from captain Anthony Froio (Glenolden, Pa / Interboro HS), single goals from Devon Coleman (Hamilton, NY / Hamilton HS), Kevin Mengel and Eric Phillips.
Third period action was more of same tenacious Alvernia offense resulting in three more goals and double digits on the score board. The high light goal in the third period came off the stick of Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa / Sun Valley HS). Sean Castineira read Ryan sneaking between the offensive circles with a quick pass out of the corner. Ryan secured the pass and snapped off a wrist shot past the frozen Widener goalie. Castineira added his own goal in the third period which complimented his stellar offensive night which included a team record five assists. Ben Yuro (Howell, NJ / Christian Bros. Academy) kept the lamp lit with his fifth goal of the season.
Equally important and not seen on the score sheet has been the solid all around play of freshman defenseman Shane Clements (Philadelphia, Pa / Holy Ghost). Clements the true stay at home defenseman has appeared unfazed as the new guy on block. He combines the physical game, good positioning and smart decisions with the puck in his own zone.
Alvernia will face its toughest test yet this weekend hosting the undefeated start up program West Chester University followed by a Saturday road trip to National Power house Farmingdale State University in Long Island, NY.

Did You Notice:
- Twin Brothers meet again but this time was from behind the bench. Former Alvernia player Pete Cirard, now Coach Cirard, tangles hockey wits with first year Widener Coach Mike Cirard.
- Widener Coach Mike Cirard promoted to head coach Saturday morning following major shake in the Prides coaching ranks
- Chelsea working the apparel table like a champ
- Game Day Management with another A + performance
- Injured Reserve John Caputo dressed to the Nines
- Assistant Captain Senior Mike Smith back in action
- Gilmore sighting on Friday, but selling Apples on Saturday night
- GA Courtney Fretz would be given props to new post game policy, “gloves on” in the team hand shake line. Germ A-Phobe hockey
- Coach Santiano was a game time decision.