Reading, Pa. (Feb. 4, 2011) - The Crusaders rocked East Stroudsburg University with six goals in the final sixteen minutes of play, erasing what once appeared to be a close game.  Alvernia allowed the Warriors to tie the game up just minutes into the third period, then proceeded to bury their opponents with a deluge of goals.  Senior Anthony Froio (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) scored the game-winner and go-ahead goal at the 16:16 mark of the final period.  Froio, team captain and four-year stand out player completed his stellar offensive evening with two goals and a helper.

 

The Vern had been riding a disappointing three-game losing streak which all but eliminated any chance of an Atlantic Regional playoff birth, needed some motivation to finish strong within the DVCHC conference.  Friday's 9-3 win marked the final conference game heading into the playoffs. The Vern finishes with an impressive 10-5-1 conference record, which should give them a solid seeding leading into first round playoff action on Feb. 26.  Alvernia has remained dominant over East Stroudsburg, riding a five game winning streak over the Warriors.  Generally speaking, the two teams battle out close contests but tonight the Crusaders nailed home the win with a flurry of goals.

 

Offensive standouts included the rebirth of line mates senior Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) and  Froio combined with the addition of the upstart freshman Kyle Kopervas (Marlton, NJ/Wyoming Seminary Prep).  The trio generated waves of high percentage scoring opportunities which accounted for three goals and three assists.  Kopervas snapped home the insurance goal just minutes after Froio's game winner.  Kopervas picked off an errant ESU defensive zone break out effort and turn skated into the left face-off circle snapping a cord ripping winner over the hand cuffed ESU net minder's right shoulder.  Despite his freshman status Kopervas continues to flourish in big games proving his reputation as a well-seasoned player. A grinder and goal scorer, Kyle plays with a punishing physical presence allowing him to finish checks as well as he does goals.  The line adjustment was a last minute mastermind of offensive coach Craig Plue.

Alvernia also received offensive contributions from junior Mike Christie (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen) who once again recorded a multiple goal night as he continues to light the lamp on a regular basis. Christie provided one of the most underappreciated plays of the game.  With only minutes left before the second intermission, Christie attacked East Stroudsburg's left point defenseman who was cocked and committed to a full wind up slap shot in a 2-2 game.  Christie laid out with a text book sliding shot block, moving across the top of the defensive right face off circle stacking up the pads horizontally catching the shot clean. The play became infectious throughout the bench igniting a relentless pursuit to change the momentum of the game as well as a season on the brink.

The Crusader's received goals from senior Zane Camburn (Rieglesville, Pa./Nazareth) who opened the scoring redirecting a shot from the blue line.  Camburn's power play efforts are strongly attributed to his unwavering ability to camp out in the slot fearless of opposing cross checks and whistling pucks into the hot zone.  Christian Baron (Philadelphia, Pa./LaSalle College) and AU leading goal scorer Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown)rounded off the goal scoring for the Vern with third period tallies.

Freshman goaltender Sean Boyd (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South) made his first collegiate career start repelling 19 of ESU's 22 shots while earning the win.  Senior goaltender Mike Restuccia (Chester Springs, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) entered the game early in the third period stopping the remaining Warrior's six shots.  The defense played hard by committee allowing only low percentage shots all evening.  Howard Bates (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) solidified Alvernia's dominant physical presence on the blue line cleaning house all over the ice.  Senior defenseman Eric Phillips (Rivers Edge, NJ/River Dell Regional) is like an invisible tornado, you don't see it until your roof is off.

Phillips made a huge adjustment swinging back to the blue line easily played his strongest game to date. The stalwart pairing of Travis Gold (Reading, Pa./ Hempfield) and Ian Meiskey (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) have been the most consistent AU blue line pairing the past two seasons.  The rising play of defenseman Andrew Dziedzic (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) easily is the most pleasant surprise for Alvernia moving forward.  Returning from a one-game layoff Josh Cohen (Pottstown, Pa./ Coventry Christian) picked up a point helping out the cause on defense.

The Crusader's will now head into the final weekend of the regular season with two non-conference games.  Both games will feature match ups with ACHA Division II programs.  The Berks County rival Kutztown University Golden Bears will be the highlighted attraction.  The Golden Bears are enjoying a 14-5 record. Kutztown moved up to ACHA Division II status four years ago after being a member of the Division III DVCHC until 2005-2006.

The Vern will also travel on Saturday down to Lawrenceville Prep school to play Rider University who are blistering up the ACHA Division II Atlantic Region. Rider was most recently ranked #4 posting an 18-3 record.