BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Saturday Oct. 15, 2011) - Alvernia (7-0, 3-0 DVCHC) remained unbeaten defeating the Richard Stockton Osprey's with a 7-1 drubbing.  The Vern has historically struggled with Stockton during regular season play, but looked unfazed by any past ghosts on Saturday night.  Senior Sean Castineira (Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic HS) scored two “shorties” leading the Crusader's with a dominating offensive performance.
 
The Vern's track record with Stockton is quite unusual.  Before Saturday night's performance the Crusaders were 0-4 in regular season play, but have managed to oust the Osprey's each of the last two seasons defeating them in the DVCHC playoffs. Alvernia had a step on the Ospreys all night, winning the little corner battles and loose pucks. A total team contribution, the Vern scored two short handed goals and two power play goals.
 
Sophomore goaltender Patrick Murray (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS) again was rock solid between the pipes allowing the lone goal which was tallied on Stockton's power play. Murray stifled the Osprey's early power play opportunities propelling the Crusader's team confidence. Facing 28 shots, Murray answered all but one improving his record to 4-0 on the season.
 
The Crusader's potent offensive attack was on display taking advantage of their opportunities the entire game. Junior defenseman Andrew Dziedzic (Philadelphia, Pa. / Father Judge HS) opened the scoring at the 13:47 mark, floating a slap shot thru a maze of players finding a home high in the back of the net. The Crusaders would score the eventual game winner only moments later as Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown HS) buried a one timer on the power play for a 2-0 lead.  Mike Christie (Collegeville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley HS) set up low in the left face off circle, slid a pass neatly across the slot and Mengel buried the shot high on the glove side.
 
The Vern continued strong play into the second period and Christie slipped home a goal at the midway point for a 3-0 lead.  Christie picked a rebound in just outside the Osprey crease and chipped a wrist shot into the top of the net.  Less than four minutes later freshman Brian Callahan (Willow Grove, Pa. / Upper Moreland) continued his point scoring streak stealing a puck in the Osprey neutral zone skating in uncontested snapping home a quick winner and a 4-0 lead.  The second period looked like it might go out quietly but the Crusaders defenseman Travis Gold (Lancaster, Pa. / Hempfield HS) received a hooking minor.  Castineira continually disrupted the Ospreys breakout and a quick poke check at the offensive blue line turned into a short break away goal. Castineira entered the offensive circles all alone moved the puck from backhand to forehand opening up a seem inside the left hand post.
 
The Crusaders moved into the third period with a commanding 5-1 lead.  Castineira once again working the penalty kill and stole a puck inside the Osprey blue line and finished a lone break in going backhand for his second goal of the game, both shorthanded.  Lucien Staquet (Downingtown, Pa. / Downingtown HS) finished off Alvernia's scoring late in the third period for a convincing 7-1 victory.
 
Alvernia will face West Chester University next Saturday and attempt to exact some revenge after losing the DVCHC semifinal game last year.