Williamsport, Pa. (Oct. 4, 2014) - Alexis Benton scored a pair of goals incluing a game-winner just over a minute into the second overtime leading Alvernia University (5-6, 1-0) to a 3-2 win over Lycoming College (3-9, 0-1) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference women's soccer action at Lycoming.

Lycoming jumped out to an early 2-goal lead with scores in the 23rd and 27th minutes, but the Crusaders show a level of resiliency scored twice in the final five minute of the first half to knot the game at 2-2 heading into halftime.

"After a very slow start and getting 0-2 the team began to get into the flow end game back with two late first half goals to tie it," said Alvernia head coach Bill Bonewitz.
"The first came off a slotted ball by from Shannon Browne to a running Lexi Benton.  Then not long after Browne sent in a long corner to the back post that Taylor Smith headed in."

After a high-scoring first half, neither team could forge ahead in the second.  Both teams had opportunities with Alvernia collecting two chances off the foot of Hannah Mallets in the final three minutes of regulation, but Lycoming keeper, Joelle Winey made the save on both.

The first overtime period was 10 more minutes of zeros on the scoreboard, but not without great chances for the Crusaders.  Kristen Eckert hit the crossbar from 20 yards out then Taylor Landis deflected a cross off the far post.

Early in the second overtime, Landis played a through ball the  Mallets who took two touches and sent Benton in alone on goal. With time she placed the ball into the far corner to get the Crusaders back into the winning column and off to a positive start in the conference.

"On defense I thought Amber Scott and Raychel Copeland settled down the back line and kept Lyco off the board the rest of the match," said Bonewitz.  "The stars of the game for us were probably Benton and Browne."

Alvernia returns home to host Widener University on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in a Play For the Cure game.

Alvernia 3, Lycoming 2 (2OT)