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BOX SCORE 2 Reading, Pa (Nov. 15, 2015) - The Crusaders finished on the short end of two crucial DVCHC conference match ups this weekend, falling to Richard Stockton 7-2 Saturday evening before dropping Sunday's contest against Neumann University 8-4.
Alvernia's pair of losses came just after the first quarter ACHA Atlantic Region Rankings were released, which might prove hard to erase.
Saturday night found an old familiar foe, the Ospreys from Richard Stockton, back on the Vern's doorstep. The Ospreys were driven by a two man wreaking crew, one offensive juggernaut while the other secured between the pipes. Stockton goaltender Eddie Rafferty was absolutely phenomenal in the cage, facing 51 shots. The offensive zone was run by stealth performer Tyler Marten, who cashed in four goals. The two Stockton stars were the storyline Saturday night with a major ham and egg show. Rafferty was acrobatic and calculated, cutting down angles and moving effortlessly around his crease. Marten seemed to convert every major opportunity he had offensively, lighting the lamp with three breakaways, splitting defenseman and turning the opposition regularly.
The Ospreys managed a modest 30 shots compared to the Vern's fifty-plus effort. The Crusaders' offensive standout
Brian Callahan scored both of Alvernia goals, with each one tying the score. Callahan's second was a work of art wrap-around stuffed into the Osprey cage, which had Rafferty hung out to dry. Callahan was relentless all night, hammering out big hits with a worker bee end to end effort. Despite being overshadowed by Tyler Martin on the score sheet, Callahan was active throughout the contestwith great scoring chances.
Crusader net minder Mike Durofchak was handed the loss in the pipes, but provided a spark by protecting his cage in the third period.
The Sunday matinee game against Neumann at Santander was reminiscent of the first match-up between the two squads in early October. The Knights, who are the current standing #1 ranked team in the Atlantic Region, used a blend of speed and skill to ignite their high octane offense that hit in waves. Despite traveling with a light roster and one goalie, they were all of their billing and hype. The Knights lit the lamp in about every style imaginable, from well-timed deflections and odd man rushes with precision point passing to big shots from the point.
Alvernia did strike first and held an early 1-0 lead from the stick of
Brian Callahan. The Knights retaliated quickly and often, scoring the next four goals of the first period for a 4-1 lead. The Crusaders never managed to cut the margin better than a 4-2 first intermission score. Alvernia senior
Nico Delgiorno provided an additional offensive punch, burning the lamp twice on the afternoon. Vern freshman goaltender Justin Guevarez was handed the loss, but considering the opponent, he played solid in the cage facing high percentage shots all game.
Alvernia returns to the Empire Classic Tournament this weekend for a three game set. The Crusaders open the tournament against SUNY Maritime on Friday. Puck drop is set for 12:00 p.m.
Alvernia All Time Offensive Stat Leaders "Chasing Greatness"
