Reading, Pa (Sunday Jan. 24, 2007) - The Vern received another blow at moving towards an elusive spot in the Atlantic Region Rankings with the Farmingdale State Rams coasting to another easy win. The Crusasder's lost the two game home and home series with Farmingdale by a combined 16- 2 margin. The Rams handed the Vern an 8-1 loss in both meetings. Farmingdale currently ranked #2 in the Atlantic Region had little problem finding separation from the Crusader's once they discovered their legs after the long trip. Alvernia grabbed an early 1-0 lead at the 13:57 mark of the first period as junior Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa / Sun Valley) backhanded home a power play goal. The Vern held the lead for most of the opening period but Farmingdale's strong power play answered with 3:00 minutes remaining.

Farmingdale energized from the first intermission returned to the ice and pounded home 5 unanswered goals in ten minute span, including two from team captain Joe Mazzie. The Rams sealed the game up during the period with a barrage of shots and pin point power play passing. Alvernia's inability to stay out of the penalty box was their unraveling. The Rams fired 18 quality shots in the second period on Vern goaltender Michael Restuccia (Chester Springs, Pa / Bishop Shanahan HS). Restuccia faced 46 shots, most of which were quality scoring opportunities. Four Farmingdale power play goals was the big difference in the contest, as they made easy work of converting on the man advantage.

A slightly less damaging third period help keep the score in check with the Crusader's playing hard giving up two goals while offering some offensive attack. Crusader forward Michael Christie (Collegeville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley) overall played his finest game of the season which became overshadowed with a little after the whistle extra-curricular activity. The brief exchange of unpleasantness plus a suspect head butt cost Christie a game Disqualification penalty.

The game unfortunately witnessed more head concussions for Alvernia as they lost defenseman Ian Meiskey (Lancaster PA / Hempfield) and Frank Lang (Phila, PA / Cardinal O' Hara) both in the second period. The troubling nature of concussions seem to be more pronounced which has received national attention but little has been done to clean up the situation on the ice. Alvernia has lost 3 players in 9 days to concussions. Sophomore Forward Ben Yuro (Howell, NJ / Christian Brothers Academy) was lost for the entire season last Sunday in the Shippensburg contest after several questionably high shots to the head that ultimately led to his season ending concussion prognosis.

Alvernia will move into the heart of their second semester schedule as they face off with # 4 ranked PSU Brandywine on Friday night in West Chester. The Crusader's handed Brandywine their first conference defeat 4-2 back in October.

Special Team Kudos:

-E. Ryan's Power Play Goal
- Baron, Ryan dominated the face off circle
-Greg Layman Decker won Chuck-a-Puck cash prize

Did You Notice:

-New and improved State of the Art Sound System
-National Anthem sung by Kara Wojciehowski
-First Year Alvernia University Athletic Director Bill Stiles dropped the puck for the ceremonial center ice face off!
- Live Stat Man Slim Jimmy D quiet as a mouse.
-Howard Bates colorful untimely exit late in the 3rd

Where They Are Now:

-Coach Kelly is lighting it up in the Body Zone MDL with 21 Goals in 6 games as the Center Piece for the “CRUNCH.” Most recent Hat Trick Sat. Jan. 23 was a first period “natural”