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Reading, Pa. (Sept. 4, 2011) - Senior striker Amy Mesce (Pittstown, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional) drove home a game winner 85 seconds into overtime to give Alvernia University (2-1) a 1-0 win over Gwynedd-Mercy (0-2-1) in game four of the Crusader Cup Women's Soccer Tournament Sunday afternoon at Schlager Memorial Field.

Alvernia dominated play in regulation but couldn't find the back of the net.  Mesce nearly put the hosts up a goal in the 74th minute but her shot from just outside the penalty box caromed off the post.  The Crusaders peppered the Griffin goal with 17 shots over the first 90 minutes, and finally broke through on the first shot of overtime.  Sophomore midfielder Kelsey Gill (State College, Pa./State College Area) sent Mesce in and the senior settled with a touch and beat GMC keeper Abby Reed to end it.

Alvernia ripped off 10 shots in the opening half and had five of its six corner kicks, but Reed responded with seven of her eight saves.  Gwynedd-Mercy finished with three shots and Alvernia keeper Colleen Maher (Wall, N.J./Wall Township) made one save to record the shutout, her second of the season.

After opening with three straight home games, the Crusaders will hit the road to face Franklin & Marshall on Wednesday.

Alvernia 1, Gwynedd-Mercy 0 (OT)