Reading, Pa (Feb. 8, 2009) - Alvernia demonstrated promising signs in their hard fought defeat to Atlantic Region top seed Farmingdale State Rams. The Crusader's came up short but not before gaining confidence that may help propel the team into the Mason-Dixon Conference Championship on President's Day Weekend. Farmingdale State represented the toughest opponent on Alvernia's schedule and for good reason; the Rams earned an automatic bye to the ACHA Division III National tournament earlier in the month. The Vern battled multiple goal deficits twice and gave the Rams a late scare in the final seconds of regulation. 

The game pace featured the fastest flow of the season which may have directly correlated with the fewest penalties of the year to date. The penalty free first period moved rapidly with Farmingdale taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. Alvernia's lone goal tallied by freshman Christian Baron (Philadelphia, Pa / LaSalle College HS). Baron finished the regular season as the Vern's leading scorer with 30 points; a well balanced 14 goals complimented his 16 assists. 

The second period offered more of the same style, with Farmingdale creating waves of offensive rushes with speed and precision passing. The Crusader's limited shots in the critical slot area and managed to keep the Ram's shots outside the circles. When Farmingdale did score they did so with effective lane changing and hanging forwards on the far post for great looks. Although Farmingdale skated with a slightly short bench it was hard to notice as each shift seemed energized for three periods keeping all four Alvernia lines taking regular shifts. The second period was the most overwhelming period for Alvernia as they surrendered four Ram goals, however kept the scoreboard respectable with two of their own. Crusader forward Pete Cirard (Levittown, Pa / Truman HS) chipped in his usual goal on the doorstep. Cirard has quietly collected goals in five of the last six Alvernia contests. The third Vern goal of the second period was an Anthony Froio (Glenside, Pa / Interboro HS) left circle one timer from linemate Christian Baron. 

The 6-3 Farmingdale lead could have seemed insurmountable to most opponents but Alvernia was driven to make the Rams finish the game. Midway through a scoreless third period Crusader's Blueliner Jeff Bohler (Ephrata, Pa / Ephrata HS) connected to close the gap to 6-4. Bohler nearly buried earlier in the second period when he sent a right circle whistler that caught the inside post and ricocheted into the goaltenders back side leg pads. Bohler's goal was just as impressive as his near miss. The sophomore defenseman found a seam in the left circle while slipping a desk around Farmingdale's defenseman. Bohler snapped home a winner inside the low opposite post corner. Less than a minute later with Alvernia operating on a rare power play chance converted with Josh Cohen ( Pottstown, Pa / Coventry Christian ) sneaking home a Anthony Froio pass across the slot. The three goal deficit was cut to one with eight minutes left in regulation. 

Farmingdale somewhat stunned by the turn of events found insurance with their own Power Play goal. Packing a potent cast of goal scorers, the Rams most prolific offensive weapon Joe Mazzie got off a blast from the top the right circle. The slap shot riffled just underneath the top left corner of the crossbar rattling the cage for a 7-5 margin. 

The Vern offered one last scare with 17 seconds remaining and an empty cage. Speedy forward Geoff McGrath ( Deptford, NJ/ Roman Catholic HS ) received a head man pass up the right ring boards from defenseman Eric Ryan ( Aston, Pa / Sun Valley HS ) who preceded to cross the blue line and fire home a low opposite post laser beam.

Special Team Kudo's:
-Farmingdale's Head Coach Jon LaRochester couldn't decide if he was more impressed with Alvernia's trapping system or the Body Zone Snack Bar
-One Power Play Goal

Did You Notice?
-Coach Plue captivated the crowd during the second intermission with a Snake Charmer Dance
-Kevin Shupp rattled a bird cage during a failed pick attempt.

FYI – Farmingdale State and PSU Brandywine both advanced to Div. III National Tournament in Rochester, NY.