BOX SCORE Reading, Pa. (Oct. 5, 2013) - The Crusaders rallied after a dismal 7-3 thumping on Friday night to Penn State Brandywine with an impressive 3-1 victory over Robert Morris University Colonials on Saturday evening.  Senior Goaltender Sean Boyd (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South) provided the much needed stability in the cage, stopping 42 shots.  The bounce back win over RMU may serve as a crucial victory in the tough ACHA Atlantic Region when the ranking poll is released in November.
 
The Vern jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead only nineteen seconds into the first period. Nico Delgiorno (Columbia, Pa./Hempfield) recorded his team-leading ninth goal of the season on what appeared to be an innocent slap shot dumped from the offensive blue line.  The RMU goaltender both handcuffed and unprepared, allowed the puck to rebound off his shoulder pad, flipping high over his head while taking a fortuitous bounce over the goal line. The lead stood into the first intermission with Alvernia holding a slight edge in shots.
 
The second period opened freakishly similar to the start of the game.  The Crusaders once again benefited again from a point shot, this time off the stick of sophomore defenseman Eric Chamberland (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa).  Chamberland rifled a slap shot caroming off the Colonial goalie's upper body, deflecting awkwardly once again over the tender's body and just crossing the goal line.  The 2-0 lead would be all the Crusaders needed to maintain a margin of victory. 
 
The Vern was aided brilliantly with exceptional defensive zone coverage including a great individual effort from Brett Sereikis (Aston, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara).  Sereikis dominated his shifts battling tirelessly in countless corner scrums while protecting control of the puck in critical moments.  Sereikis' excellent vision and "lunch pail" work ethic are quickly gaining him top line shift promotions early in the season.
 
Alvernia surrendered their lone goal midway thru the second period but regained the two-goal lead on a power play goal only moments later.  Sean Mullen (Lincoln University/Oxford) redirected Delgiorno's slap shot from the lower left offensive zone circle.  Mullen collected his fourth goal of the season providing some breathing room which was needed as RMU had an onslaught of power play opportunities the entire third period.  Both goaltender Boyd and a defense-by-committee were able to limit quality scoring efforts during a Colonial full two man disadvantage.
 
Unseen on the score sheet was another under the radar "outstanding performance" from freshman Mike Urban (New Ringgold, Pa./Nativity).
 
The Crusaders will return to home ice next Sunday night to face DVCHC rival and 2012-13 Conference Champion Neumann University.