Reading, Pa. (Oct. 18, 2016) – Freshmen Lauren and Taylor Gough combined for a beautiful insurance goal on a corner kick in the first half and Alvernia University (6-9, 3-2) defeated Widener University (3-9-2, 1-4) by a 2-1 final Tuesday evening in MAC Commonwealth women's soccer action at Alvernia.
 
The Crusaders opened the scoring early for the second game in a row.  Jess Bernd took a pass in the middle of the field in the second minute and sent Kayla McNamee in with a beautiful feed between the defenders.
 
McNamee took a couple of touches and hit a hard shot off the keeper's hands and into the net for her first of the season.
 
The Crusaders doubled the lead in the 36^th minute when the Gough sisters connected on a corner kick.  Taylor Gough hit the corner into a crashing mix of players, and sister Lauren walked it in on the redirection.
 
Widener kept up the pressure over the final minutes and finally broke through when Lexi Slusher hit a pass across the top of the box that sent Karli Luker in one-on-one against Alvernia keeper Jess Plunkett.  Luker settled with a touch and hit a left foot drive back to the far post for second of the season.
 
The Crusaders had a great chance for an insurance goal twenty minutes into the second half when Lauren Gough sprinted down the left side with possession.  Her cross found its way to Bernd crashing into the middle of the box, but her shot was just wide.
 
Both teams had opportunities over the final 25 minutes, the best from Widener for the equalizer came in the 87^th minute when Alyssa Dionisio ripped a shot from 20 yards out that Plunkett easily handled.
 
Eva Reyes had another attempt for the Pride a minute later that was wide and high, and Alvernia had one final chance to grab an insurance goal, but Annie Rose's shot from near the penalty spot was just outside the far post.
 
The Crusaders travel to Stevenson for an important conference match-up with the Mustangs on Friday.
 
Alvernia 2, Widener 1