BOX SCORE

Annville, Pa. (Oct. 26, 2013) - Freshman Margaret Wentzel (East Earl, Pa./Garden Spot) scored her second straight hat trick and Alvernia University (10-6, 3-4) scored three unanswered, second-half goals in a 4-3 win over Lebanon Valley College (8-9, 4-3) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference Field Hockey action at LVC.

Wentzel scored on a deflection off a defender just over a minute into the second half to cut the LVC deficit to 3-2 then Natalie Messaros (Oxford, Pa./Oxford) scored on a corner play with seven minutes to play to tie the game at 3-3.  Wentzel netted the game-winner with just over four minutes to play collecting her own rebound and beating the Dutchmen goalie.

Junior Erin Wunsch (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson) made nine saves and the defense came up with a pair of defensive saves in the first half to keep it close.  Alexis Krall (Annville, Pa./Annville Cleona) and Emily Kelly (Westminster, Md./Seton Keough) recorded one each on the back line.

The Dutchmen were able to generate two corners in the final four minutes--one with time expired--but couldn't get off a shot.

It's the second straight game for the Crusaders at LVC in which they overcame a 2-goal deficit for the win.  Two years ago in the conference semifinal the Crusaders scored the last four goals of the game for a 5-3 win.

The win keeps the Crusaders' playoff hopes alive.  The last two spots--and a match-up in the 4/5 game--are up for grabs among three teams, Alvernia, Lebanon Valley, and Stevenson. 

LVC's final game of the year is against Elizabethtown College--which claimed the top seed in the Commonwealth Champoinships with a 3-1 win over #11 Messiah College on Saturday.  If the Dutchmen win, that knocks Alvernia out of the chase and the Dutchmen will host Stevenson in the 4/5 game.

The Crusaders need a loss by LVC and need to beat Widener to get into a 3-way tie for the last two spots.  Stevenson would emerge as the four seed in that scenario by virtue of a +2 goal differential against Alvernia and LVC then the Crusaders would take the five seed by virtue of Saturday's win.

If Alvernia loses to Widener on Tuesday, LVC would host Stevenson in the 4/5 game regardless of its result against Etown.

Alvernia will host Widener on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.

Alvernia 4, Lebanon Valley 3