BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Apr. 21, 2012) - Senior attack Sarah George (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) became the all-time leader in points at Alvernia University (7-7, 1-3) Saturday, but her record-breaking goal was the lone second-half tally for the hosts in a 21-6 loss to Messiah College (12-2, 4-0) in Commonwealth Conference women's lacrosse action at Schlager Memorial Field.

George scored at 14:24 of the second half to give her 56 goals and 65 poitns of the season.  She has 249 points, one ahead of former record holder Felicia Sippel (2011).  She also has 194 goals, 10 behind Sippel's career record of 204.

Messiah opened the scoring Saturday with two goals in the game's opening 10 minutes, but George and Heather Coppola (Fulton, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) answered over the next five minutes to knot the score at 2-2.  George scored assisted by Megan Corrigan (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) and Coppola scored after Tonya Rutt (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) stipped the ball from the Messiah goalie on a clear attempt and hit Coppola in front on an empty net.

Messiah scored four of the next five goals including two from leading scorer Rachel Dirkson--who tallied her 58th and 59th of the season--for a 6-3 lead with 36 seconds left in the half.

Alvernia won the ensuing draw and junior Ali Bainbridge (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) tried to force a pass into the area above the crease that skipped through a screen and past the Messiah goalie into the net.  The Crusaders won the next draw and Sam Landis (Watsontown, Pa./Warrior Run) drew a free position shot and burried it with 12 seconds left in the half to pull Alvernia within a goal, 6-5 at the half.

Alvernia goalie Jen Czarnecki (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Hubert's) played a phenominal first half with 11 of her 13 saves and got some help from both the post and the crossbar to keep it close.

Messiah netted the first goal of the second half 35 seconds after the opening draw and added eight more for a 15-5 lead with 16 minutes to play.  George's goal followed 90 seconds later, but the Falcons scored the last six of the game to close out the win.

Alvernia continues the conference schedule hosting crosstown rival Albright for a night game on Tuesday.  It finishes the season Saturday at Lycoming with the Commonwealth playoffs beginning May 2.  The Crusaders could get into the playoffs with just one win in their last two.  Most of their fate lies in the Widener-Elizabethtown game next Saturday.

Messiah 21, Alvernia 6