BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Oct. 29, 2011) - Senior Amy Mesce (Pittstown, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional) scored once in regulation and again in the final two minutes of the second overtime to send Alvernia University (11-7-1, 3-3-1) to a 2-1 win over Arcadia University (9-5-3, 2-3-2) Saturday afternoon in rare October snowstorm at Schlager Memorial Field.

Arcadia, also looking to fight for its postseason life, scored the first goal of the game in the 34th minute on a tally from reserve Alex Stoner.  Mesce cleaned up a scrum following a corner kick three minutes later to level the match at 1-1.

Both teams took full advantage of all 15 minutes at halftime to retreat to warmer and dryer conditions in the Physical Education Center as snow began to accumulate on the field to the point where end lines needed to be cleaned off with a shovel.

Both teams managed five shots apiece in the second half, but neither team was able to forge ahead.  Reserves from both teams took cover under piles of blankets and jackets and tried to stay warm by pacing the track behind each bench.  A portion of the Arcadia reserves even took refuge in the bus doing anything they could to maintain feeling.

The game reached the end of regulation still knotted 1-1.

Alvernia senior Lindsey Neubauer (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) came up with a brilliant saves tipping the ball over the bar early in the first overtime and Karli Nestor (Bally, Pa./Boyertown) had a pair of chances to end the game. Her first ran out of steam in the snow on the way to the open net and the second, after beating the Arcadia keeper on the dribble, was taken off her foot by the Knights' defense.

The draw wasn't a desired outcome for either team with playoffs looming next week, and Mesce made sure it didn't come to that taking a feed from Rachel Gimber (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) with under two minutes left in the second overtime and slotting a shot into the left corner for the winner.

Alvernia keeps the hopes alive for a second straight playoff apearance and could finish in third place with Albright and Widener play to a tie when their postponed game is completed.  There are also scenarios where the Crusaders could be out by virtue of tiebreakers.  The playoffs will be sorted out once the regular season games are completed.

The Commonwealth semifinals are tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday.

Alvernia 2, Arcadia 1 (2OT)