Reading, Pa. (Oct. 4, 2014) - Messiah College (7-4, 2-0) notched the game winner with 16 seconds left in regulation to steal a 3-2 win over Alvernia University (6-5, 1-1) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference action on Alvernia's Turf Field.

In a 2-2 stalemate throughout most of the second half, Messiah capitalized on a last-minute breakaway. As Moriah Pfautz went one-on-one with Crusader goalie Erin Wunsch, Carissa Gehman set up to receive Pfautz's pass. Gehman found the back of the net from the center of the circle, giving the Falcons the 3-2 victory.

The Falcons, ranked 13^th on the NFHCA Poll, opened the scoring for the day on a high drive from Pfautz just over a minute into the contest. She picked up her fourth goal of the season from just inside the top of the circle, lifting the shot above Wunsch for the 1-0 advantage.

Alvernia's first goal of the game knotted the score at 1-1. Just before the third minute, senior Amanda Galanti found Summer Libero on the left post. Libero then pushed a pass across the circle, where Paige Epler drove in the equalizer for her first goal of the season.

Messiah pulled ahead of the Crusaders near the midpoint of the first half. On a break away with Pfautz, Mattie Berger found the back right of the net for her first of the year and a 2-1 Falcon lead.

The Crusaders would not enter the half behind. In the 22^nd minute, Natalie Messaros lifted an arching shot from far left over the head of Falcon goalie Carly Day. Day lunged back to tip the ball for the save, but Lauren Jacobsen was waiting and knocked the rebound into the net to square the game 2-2.

Alvernia was in command offensively throughout most of the game, out-shooting Messiah 14-5. The Crusaders also outnumbered the Falcons in corners, 10-4.

Alvernia returns to action on Wednesday, October 8^th when it travels to Juniata College for a 7:00 pm start.