BOX SCORE BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Sept. 8, 2012) - On Saturday afternoon the Alvernia University Field Hockey team (2-2) was defeated in overtime by #9 Montclair State University Red Hawks (3-1) by a score of 2-1.

Four minutes into the game Alvernia freshman Melanie Lowry (Gap, Pa./Penn Manor) found the back of the net on a fast break to give the home team a 1-0 lead. The goal came off a pass from senior Brittany Barcus (Atglen, Pa./Octorara) and was Lowry's first career goal. The rest of the half was all Montclair State as the Hawks posted 13 shots on goal in the 35 minutes while the Crusaders only managed three.

With five minutes left in the first half, Red Hawk forward Jennifer Tafro scored to tie the game at one on a bullet from the top of the circle.

The second period of play saw solid action from both sides although Montclair State controlled the pace of the game and kept the ball on the Crusaders side of the field for the majority of the half. Regulation ended with the game still knotted at one.

The overtime format is sudden death with six players and a goalie to each side. Twice in the opening minutes of overtime, senior forward Miranda Peto (Pheonixville Pa./Phoenixville Area) had fast breaks that were thwarted by the Red Hawk defense.

With just over 11 minutes remaining in the first overtime period, the ball popped loose and Montclair State's Michelle Hagel had a clear break away. Crusader goalie Erin Wunsch (West Lawn, Pa./Coatsville Area) charged out of the net to play the ball and the two opponents collided near the fifteen yard line.  A foul was called on Wunsch and a penalty shot was awarded to the Hawks. Stephanie Lewis' penalty shot was fired into the corner of the cage just passed the outstretched stick of Wunsch to win the game.

The Crusaders return to action on Tuesday, September 11 when the travel to Dallas, Pennsylvania to take on Misericordia.

Montclair State 2, Alvernia 1 (OT)