BOX SCORE Reading,Pa ( Sunday Nov. 1, 2015 ). Alvernia University (4-5-2) dropped a key conference battle, falling 7-3 to Bryn Athyn College (5-2) on Sunday afternoon at the Santander Arena.

Despite the tough result on the scoreboard, the Crusaders scored a big victory paying homage to the Wounded Warrior Project, specifically Sgt. Brandon Porinchak. The pregame ceremonial puck drop was performed by Sgt. Porinchak after being honored with the Crusaders camouflage third jersey.
 
Bryn Athyn College once again played up to all the hype which has followed their program the last three seasons. The Lions offensive machine bombarded fifty-one shots on Vern goaltender James Bangar. Bryn Athyn reached national prominence last season, easily skating to the auto bid in the ACHA Atlantic Region. The Lions swept the DVCHC last season, going 12-0 including playoffs. The Vern had difficulty slowing down an offensive rush which was highlighted by the Lions Scott Witmyer, who burned Alvernia with two goals and one assist. Witmyer, who had been slow out of the gate this season, appeared to regain his knack for the net.
 
The Crusaders, trailing 4-0 midway thru the second period, were able to cut the lead in half with two quick strikes. The Vern lit the lamp at the 12:36 mark and once again at 13:24. Senior Ian Meers broke the ice on the power play, crashing the net picking up a rebound. Senior Nico Delgiorno fired up the goal lamp to split the lead to 4-2. Unfortunately, the Lions scored right before the second intermission to retake a comfortable three goal margin.

Alvernia played an even period with the visiting team in the second period providing a moral victory.
 
The final period had the same feel with a "bend, don't break" mentality, only surrendering two goals on eighteen shots. Alvernia's Delgiorno found the twine again, finishing the night with two goals with one helper. Delgiorno's tallies represent his 98^th and 99^th career goals in a Vern sweater. Senior Captain Scott Dressler was credited with assists on all three Alvernia goals.

Super senior James Bangar, playing in his final semester, played admirably between the pipes despite the tilted ice. The Lions averaged 16 shots per period with the majority close range high percentage scoring chances.
 
The Crusaders return to the ice again on Saturday, hosting Farmingdale at 8:00 at BodyZone.


                           Alvernia All Time Offensive Stat Leaders
                                            "Chasing Greatness"
 

Player	GP	Goals	Assists	Total
Jim McKelvie  ( 2015 Grad )	112	92	114	206
Nico Delgiorno  (  active )	81	99	75	174
Brian Callahan  (  active )	111	72	96	168