BOX SCORE PHOTOS

Reading, Pa. (Oct. 15, 2011) - Alvernia University (11-2-1, 4-0) netted a pair of first half goals and held off a spirited charge from Albright College (5-8, 0-4) in the second half for a 2-1 win Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's soccer action at Schlager Memorial Field.

The win ties the Crusaders' single season mark for wins with four games remaining on the regular season schedule.  The 2006 team went 11-6-4 on its way to the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference final and the Eastern College Athletic Conference semifinal.

Saturday's game was the 14th in the series against crosstown rival Albright and with wins in three of the last four games the Crusaders have now leveled their record against the Lions at 7-7.

Freshman sub Nick Fore (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) got the scoring started on Saturday with his second goal of the season in the 19th minute.  Junior defender Josh Fretz (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley) got the play started right in front of the home bench.  His pass found the feet of junior Emir Guerrero (Fort Lee, N.J./Fort Lee) who pushed it forward to Fore near the top of the box.  It appeared as though Fore would be able to one touch and score, but the Lions' defense, including goalie Tim Compton, swarmed Fore who needed to collect him self, get one touch out of trouble, then finish inside the far post.

The Crusaders, working with a wind that gusted over 20 miles per hour, played brilliant possession in the first half and netted an insurance goal with under two minutes left in the half.  Freshman Alex Martyn (Media, Pa./Penncrest) sent Giuliano Caloiero (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) in on net and Caloiero was able to finish his third of the season.

Albright cranked up the pressure with the wind and a setting sun in its favor and cut the lead in half on Tyler Waters' seventh of the season just five minutes into the second frame.  Alvernia keeper Ben Diller (Etters, Pa./Red Land) snared a bullet off the foot of another Lion striker and got some help from the post to preserve the lead.

Meanwhile, offensively the Crusaders generated chances to reestablish the two-goal cushion, but Compton denied Kyle Martyn (Media, Pa./Penncrest) from point blank range and Fore missed an open net opportunity.

Diller finished with nine saves for the Crusaders.

Alvernia hits the road for a pair of conference, night games next week.  At Widener on Wednesday then at preseason favorite Messiah College on Saturday.

Alvernia 2, Albright 1