BOX SCORE Reading, Pa. (Nov.  11, 2012) - The Crusaders (12-2) pounded out their 12th in of the season over the Rowan University Profs on Sunday afternoon, combining excellent goaltending with explosive goal scoring.  Senior Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) scored his 14th goal of the season, which also represented his 130th career point, that now puts him as Alvernia's all-time points leader.  Alvernia's sluggish first period effort was erased by dominating the final two periods.
 
Vern forward Eric Pawlick (Cranford, Pa./Cranford) opened the scoring on the power play towards the later part of the opening period for his 7th goal of the season.  The 1-0 lead held for the remainder of the first period.
 
The Crusaders first line set the tone offensively for the entire game and Rowan had no answers to the constant pressure applied by the Callahan-Pawlick-McKelvie combination.  The first line wasted only 11 seconds into the second period before Brian Callahan (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Moreland) whistled a slap-shot from between the middle of the circles that ricocheted post to post and into the twine.  Callahan's launch proved to be the game-winner and his eleventh goal of the season.  The first line completed the goal scoring trifecta, and posted a 3-0 lead when McKelvie sniped home a nasty wrist shot from the middle of the right wing circle.  The triumvirate line combination would tally four goals and three helpers before the night concluded.
 
Alvernia never looked back, however the Profs played gritty throughout the game, while scoring on a power play advantage in the second period climbing back to within two goals.  Mengel reached his milestone event with only 1:16 remaining before the final intermission.  Mengel picked up a pass in the low slot skating east to west across the goal mouth and flipped a soft backhand over the sprawled out Rowan goaltender.  Mengel's tally moves him ahead of alumni Sean Castineira (2012) as the Crusader's all-time points leader with 79 goals/52 assists.
 
Vern goalie Sean Boyd was sharp in the win, stopping 26 shots and only allowing the lone power play goal by the Profs.  Rowan had numerous power play opportunities including a full two-man advantage late in the third period with Boyd responding perfectly along with the Vern's overworked penalty kill units.
 
Alvernia picked up late goals in the third period from freshman Ian Meers (Morgantown, Pa./Twin Valley) along with his line mate Scott Dressler (West Milford, NJ/West Milford).  McKelvie finished off the scoring with his second of the evening with a final minute strike on the power play.
 
The Vern will now prepare for next weekend's Empire Classic Tournament.  The midseason event represents the most important series of games which will go along way in determining what teams are represented in the ACHA Atlantic Regional Playoffs in February.