BOX SCORE York. Pa. (Feb. 23, 2015) - The Crusaders season came to as a close at the ACHA Atlantic Regional Tournament as Alvernia University fell 5-4 to all too familiar foe Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Alvernia scored halway through the first period and grabbed an early 1-0 lead. Nico Delgiorno, who did most of the offensive damage for Alvernia, scored unassisted sliding a loose puck behind Osprey net minder Eddie Rafferty. The Crusaders, who appeared to have a clear jump on Stockton in the first period, couldn't finish the job falling victim to the cardinal rule of hockey and allowed the even up goal with just 1.2 seconds left. 

Tied 1-1 entering the second period, the Vern had incredible scoring chances point blank but could not bury the puck behind Rafferty. The Osprey goaltender stopped at least a hlaf dozen clear breakaways. Stockton, riding the momentun of a hot goalie, cashed in with timely goals on great individual efforts. The Osprey's Al Morelli, who had been a major thorn in Alvernia's side throughout the past two competitions, connected twice on walk in's from the high slot, sashaying and sniping home pretty winners. 

The Crusaders had chances and the game was very much in the balance the entire contest. Stockton held one goal leads on three different occasions. 

Notched at 3-3 entering the final period, the game would be decided on several key turnovers and a couple odd amn rushers. Offensively, Delgiorno lit up the Osprey net with another hat trick which was his 5th of the season. Delgiorno wrapped up the season as the team leader in goals, finishing with 36 lamplighters. He falls one short of the All-time record of 37, set by himself last year. 

As the third period remained scoreless inside of five minutes remaining, the Osprey gained a power play chance and made quick work grabbing a 4-3 lead. The Crusaders received their own man advantage opportunity and remarkably scored with 1:24 left in regulation, tying the score 4-4. The joy was short lived however as the Osprey shocked the situation by scoring the game winner only twenty seconds later. A see-saw game that did not leave enough time left, the Crusaders were unable to manage any last minute heroics.

Senior goaltender Patrick Murray was handed the loss despite great play down the stretch. Murray, who fell victin of bad luck timing as the Crusaders dropped the last five games with four being one goal decisions, reserved his best goaltending for his final games at Alvernia. 

Alvernia, who entered the ACHA tournament ranked 6th, finished with a winning season at 18-8-1, marking the second best record in program history.