BOX SCORE BOX SCORE | PHOTOS

Reading, Pa. (Nov. 9, 2011) - Second-seeded Alvernia University (14-7) kept up relentless pressure on corner plays and finally broke through with the game-winner off a corner from junior Erin Solley (Reading, Pa./Oley Valley) in the 57th minute of a 2-1 win over #7 FDU-Florham (12-10) Wednesday evening in quarterfinal action of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Mid-Atlantic Region Field Hockey Championships at Schlager Memorial Field.

FDU keeper Tess Loughran turned away four shots in the first half and Marybeth Weimer scored for the Devils on a corner in the 30th minute for a 1-0 lead at halftime.

"I knew it was going to be a tough game for the get-go," said Alvernia head coach Laura Gingrich after collecting her 131st career win.  "Being down 1-0 was a little scary for us, but we've been there before.  I had confidence we would be able to come back."

Senior Tonya Rutt (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) started the comeback by leveling the score at 1-1 in the 51st minute with a penalty stroke.  Classmate Katy Eby (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot) was stick fouled from behind with a clear opportunity to score and Gingrich went with Rutt for the stroke.

Six minutes later Solley started a corner play and posted up just outside the cage.  Senior Sam Landis (Watsontown, Pa./Warrior Run) slid a pass across the top of the circle to sophomore Taylor Eichelberger (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor).  She drove the ball toward the post and Solley was able to redirect it past Loughran for the eventual game-winner.

"We made a small adjustment on corners to get Taylor involved on the shot," said Gingrich of the winning play.  "We wanted her to shoot toward that corner of the goal and if it's wide then Solley's there."

FDU ramped up the pressure over the final 13 minutes earning 11 corners, but they couldn't convert.  Erin Wunsch (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson) made give saves on the day and three of them to preserve the one-goal lead in the final three minutes.

Alvernia will advance to the semifinals and host the Final Four this weekend.  Top-seeded Lebanon Valley and #3 Juniata both advanced with 1-0 wins on Wednesday afternoon.  #4 Stevens Tech also advanced--with a 3-2 win over Wesley--sending all four seeds to Alvernia for the Final Four.  Lebanon Valley was unable to host as the top seed this weekend.

"They're excited," said Gingrich of her players looking forward to the weekend and an opportunity to earn a postseason title.  "They were disappointed with our performance against Messiah and this gives them a chance at a reprieve."

Alvernia will take on Juniata in a rematch of a 2-1 Juniata win earlier this season at 11:00 a.m. Saturday followed by the LVC, Stevens Tech game at 1:30 p.m.

#2 Alvernia 2, #7 FDU-Florham 1