BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Sept. 4, 2009) - Junior keeper Kirsten Kelley (Kirkwood, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) stopped 10 shots including a pair in overtime and sophomore forward Amy Mesce (Pittstown, N.J./Delaware Valley) headed home a brilliant goal late in the first and finished a cross in overtime to lift Alvernia University (1-1) to a 2-1 win over Gwynedd-Mercy (0-1) Friday evening in game two of the second annual Crusader Cup Women's Soccer tournament hosted by Alvernia.

The Griffins got on the board in the 20th minute on a rebound goal in front of Kelley, but the 5-8 junior bounced back to make every save for the rest of the night.  Mesce knotted the score at 1-1 with just under eight minutes left in the first half.  The Griffins had held possession for a while looking to jump up to a 2-0 lead before the break, but Alvernia earned a free kick on one of its counter rushes.

Junior Felicia Sippel (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Hubert) curled the free kick out in front of the far post and Mesce's header found the back of the net over the outstretched arm of the Griffin keeper.

The teams player a scoreless second half with Kelley making six of her 10 saves in the frame, and the Griffins again got the early chances in overtime with Kelley making a pair of saves stretched out over her head.

This time an Alvernia counter made its way down the right wing and junior forward Erin Stone (Carlisle, Pa./Boiling Springs) made a move to avoid a defender near the touchline and crossed the ball to Mesce who's volley gave the Crusaders their third straight win in their own kickoff tournament.

Alvernia will face Dickinson College, a 6-0 winner over Rutgers-Camden, at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Championship game.  GMC will face Rutgers at 12:30 p.m. in Saturday's consolation game.

Alvernia 2, Gwynedd-Mercy 1