York, Pa. (Feb. 16, 2012) - The Crusader's 5-4 overtime win over Farmingdale State proved to be the most memorable and exciting of all the ACHA Atlantic Region qualifier games.  Seventh ranked Alvernia, in epic fashion won on a rare penalty shot at 1:32 of the first overtime period.  Max Matejik (Fallington, Pa. / Notre Dame HS) converted the penalty shot with poise and ease considering the magnitude of the moment. The victory signified Alvernia's first ever Regional competition win in their first appearance.
 
The first-round game featured the Farmingdale State Rams (12-5) ranked #6 in the Atlantic Region, against the #6 ranked Alvernia University Crusaders (21-4-2).  Alvernia was previously 0-4 lifetime versus the Rams, who generally have represented the Atlantic Region at the National Tournament and had made easy work of the Vern in the past.  The Crusaders picked a great night to reverse this trend answering Farmingdale every shift all night long.  A very evenly played matchup as expected, the game featured numerous power play goals and end-to-end offensive rushes.  Farmingdale fired 36 shots on Crusader goaltender Patrick Murray (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS) over just the first two periods alone.  Murray stood strong limiting the Rams to a narrow 3-2 lead entering the final period.
 
Alvernia goals in the second period belonged to senior Sean Castineira (Philadelphia / Pa. / Roman Catholic HS) and freshman Jimmy McKelvie (Hatfield, Pa. / North Penn HS).  Alvernia seized control of the game in the third as the momentum noticeably shifted with the Vern.  Junior Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown HS) scored a pair of goals in the third period to give Alvernia a 4-3 lead with just over five minutes remaining.  Farmingdale responded less than two minutes later knotting the game at 4-4 and sending it into OT.  
 
The sudden death overtime period provided one of the rarest and memorable series of events that could be imagined.  Only 92 seconds into the period, the Crusaders were buzzing like bees around the Farmingdale cage which saw a loose puck free in the crease.  The Farmingdale defenseman sensing impending doom, and a game ending goal dropped to his knee's in the goaltender's blue paint arc.  Attempting to lodge the loose puck into his goaltender's pad's and create a stoppage his gloves were the equipment that ultimately froze the puck.  Sensing an unusual situation after the whistle, the officiating crew determined the puck covered by a player other than the goaltender in the crease indicated a rule infraction and penalty resulting in the penalty shot.  The newly acquired Crusader Matejik was appointed the player to take the shot.  Matejik, quickly establishing himself as a sure handed crafty puck handler made easy work converting on a forehand deke to the goaltender's glove side.  Matejik controlled the puck methodically from the center line face off dot, culminating with a smooth east to west movement across the top of the crease sliding the puck effortlessly along the ice into the back of the cage.
 
The 5-4 win marked the first time in Crusader history they have earned a post season Regional playoff victory.  Alvernia has been well represented in conference playoffs with numerous DVCHC playoff wins; this milestone win comes on a grander stage against a strong annual contending Farmingdale program.  The win moves Alvernia into an elite position in the Atlantic Region.  The victory will enable the Vern to compete for a shot at the ACHA National Tournament with only a Saturday afternoon matchup with Richard Stockton College of New Jersey standing in their way.