BOX SCORE vs. Gettysburg (9/23)
BOX SCORE vs. Widener (9/24)
BOX SCORE vs. Fordham (9/24)
BOX SCORE vs. Old Dominion (9/25)

Aston, Pa. (Sept. 25, 2011) - The Crusaders opened the 2011-2012 season by sweeping a four game set at the Ice Works College Showcase. Alvernia outscored their opponents 35-3 in the three day tournament.  The Vern stamped out Gettysburg College, Widener University, Fordham University and Old Dominion in an ironman weekend playing four games in less than 48 hours.
 
The Crusaders exploded on Gettysburg College in the Friday night opener with a 14-1 offensive outpouring.  Freshman defenseman Anthony Galeano (Brooklyn, NY / St. Edmunds Prep) scored his first two collegiate goals unleashing two blue line blasts. New look senior Kevin Shupp (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS) contributed an equally impressive ripper from the blue line during the Vern's offensive roast. Defensively, the stingy Crusaders allowed only six shots while senior net minder Jim Fynes (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic) combined with Sean Boyd (Churchville, Pa / Council Rock South) to post the win.
 
Saturday featured a first for Alvernia as they played a day / night double dip rocking Widener 10-0 in the morning, while depositing a second shut out stifling Fordham University 6-0 in the night cap.  An unprecedented accomplishment, the back to back wins demonstrated the Vern's image as a fast skating squad that plays both ends of the ice. The freshmen class led by Eric Pawlick (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS), Jimmy McKelvie (Hatfield, Pa / North Penn HS) and Brian Callahan (Willow Grove, Pa / Upper Moreland HS) will undoubtedly be a major factor in the teams' success.
 
The victory over Fordham marked the first time Alvernia has defeated an Empire Conference foe. Regarded as a powerhouse conference it will provide some early confidence to a team looking for an identity. Sophomore goaltender Patrick Murray (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS) recorded his second career shut out with the Vern. Although only facing 16 shots, he was equal to all the shots the Fordham Rams could muster. The Vern was tested, killing off four Fordham power plays.
 
The Crusaders benefitted offensively from junior Patrick Dolan's (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS) first hat trick. Dolan, working the front door managed to redirect several winners from the point and stuff in a rebound. Often overlooked, Dolan's tough physical presence is definitely felt by opponents if not immediately seen. Dolan's most notable tally tip came off the stick of Callahan who uncorked a low sizzling shot from the top of the right face off circle while on the power play. Dolan recorded a team high seven goals over the four game series.
 
Senior forward Sean Castineira (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) capped off an impressive five goal first period against Fordham. Castineira appeared to have been shot out of a cannon jetting up the left wing boards in the offensive zone completely turning the defense and snipped home a snapper from just outside the lower left circle.
 
The Crusaders finished their Saturday combination one-two punch victories over Widener and Fordham just shortly before midnight. A quick turn around Sunday morning was a tough match up against a gritty Old Dominion University that made some noise at the showcase. A Sunday morning 10 AM start would prove a good test of stamina and discipline. The Vern answered the alarm clock striking an early 1-0 lead getting a quickie from freshman Brian Callahan. Dominion battled back and tied the game early in the second period.
 
Alvernia struggled to shake Old Dominion as they regained the lead as speedster forward Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa / Boyertown HS) undressed the Dominion goalie on a one on one effort finishing top shelf right behind the cookie jar. ODU struck back with an exiting race for the puck between Vern goaltender Jim Fynes and opposition forward Bill Buck. ODU's Buck flipped the loose puck over a sprawled out Fynes just below the middle of the face off circles. The puck found its way to Bucks stick and an open net. The 2-2 score made for some high anxiety.
 
The Vern answered with a swift response scoring three times in the final three minutes of the second period. Defenseman Kevin Meers (Morgantown, Pa / Twin Valley HS) ultimately scored the game winner maneuvering over the blue line into the lower left offensive face off circle and patiently threaded a wrist shot high into the upper right hand corner of the net. The Crusaders added two insurance goals from Mike Christie (Collegeville, Pa / Perk Valley HS) and sophomore Robert Savastano (Sewell, NJ / Clearview HS). Savastano recorded his first collegiate goal.
 
Alvernia remarkably never trailed throughout the entire tournament and average margin of victory was plus eight goals. A team wide effort, defensively Alvernia did not surrender more than 20 shots in any game over the three days.