Wilkes Barre, Pa. (Aug. 29, 2014) - Sophomore attack Margaret Wentzel picked up right where she left off following a 20-goal freshman campaign with three scores in the season-opener as Alvernia Unviersity (1-0) defeated King's College (0-1) by a 5-3 final Friday afternoon in non-conference field hockey action.

Junior midfielder Summer Liberto assisted on the first three goals of the game and scored the fourth as the Crusaders opened up a 4-0 lead seven minutes into the second half.  King's scored three of the final four goals of the game for the 5-3 final.

Senior goalie Erin Wunsch made seven saves in the win and Melanie Lowry recorded one defensive save.

Wentzel opened the scoring in the sixth minute on a feed from Liberto.  Freshman Lauren Jacobsen had a shot blocked on a corner play and Liberto slipped a pass to Wentzel for the first of the game.  Liberto took the insert on Alvernia's fourth corner of the game in the 22nd minute sending a pass to Amanda Galanti who drilled her first goal of the season for a 2-0 lead.  The Crusaders maintained a 2-0 lead into halftime with Wunsch making a pair of saves during a King's furry in the final five minutes of the half.

The combo of Liberto and Wentzel scored two minutes into the second half for a 3-0 lead then Liberto scored on a pass from sophomore Alexis Krall in the 43rd minute.

King's took a timeout and made a goalie change following the fourth goal and the offense responded with the first goal of the season to make it 4-1, and Alvernia responded on Wentzel's third of the game assisted by Natalie Messaros just five minutes later.

King's added a pair of goals in the 48th minute and 64th minute.

Alvernia is on the road for five straight games to open the season and will play at Franklin & Marshall next Wednesday.

Alvernia 5, King's 3