Reading, Pa. (Nov. 1, 2019) - Alvernia University (1-0) scored three goals in the second period and defeated Anna Maria (0-1) by a 6-1 final Friday evening in the Golden Wolves first women's hockey game at The Body Zone.

Abby Reisinger, Olivia Gilida, and Abby Radcliffe--the Wolves three first line forwards--scored two goals apiece to lead the offense and Julia Beaven made 19 saves to earn the win.

Anna Maria scored an unassisted goal 13 seconds after the opening faceoff on its first shot of the game.

"Poise, patience, and resilience," said Alvernia head coach Josh Brandwene.  "To have that bouncer go in so quickly in front of a big crowd. For a first-year team to not even let it phase them and just stick with the game plan, keep working.  I could not be any more proud of them." 

Alvernia responded with pressure on the Anna Maria side over the next five minutes and Reisinger finally scored the first ever goal for Alvernia's at 6:36 of the first.  Fiona Stewart forced a turnover and fed the puck out front to Reisinger who pushed it home from the top of the crease.

Reisinger added her second goal on the power play 2:32 into the second period assisted by Radcliffe.

Gilida scored her first career goal--and the second one for the Wolves on the power play--on a spectacular move from the left circle.  Morgan Moore passed the puck to Gilida who made a move around a defender and roofed a shot from point blank range for a 3-1 Alvernia lead.

Gilida added her second of the game 10 minutes later on another Radcliffe assist and the Wolves led 4-1 after two.

"It was good to get out there and kinda feel it out and play with everybody," said Gilida after her first collegiate game.

Radcliffe pushed the advantage to 5-1 on a goal assisted by Reisinger 12 minutes into the third period and she added an empty net goal in the final minute to close the scoring.

With one game under their belts the first line forwards are all tied for the team lead with two goals apiece.  

"Honestly no one's really thinking about getting number three," said Reisinger after the game.  "It's just about putting another goal on the board for the team and playing as a family."

At the other end of the ice, Beaven anchored the defensive efforts that kept the Amcats off the board for the final 59:47.

"I could not be more satisfied on how we played," said the freshman goalie.  "We worked straight till the end and never gave up. Even how bad the start was we came back immediately and showed them what we are made of."

The two teams turn around Saturday afternoon for game two back at the Body Zone at 2:00.

"Honestly, [there is] so much to build on," said Coach Brandwene.  "I am so pleased with the team-first effort and attitude. They worked so hard.  They were very consistent and they know there are still things to get better at, and that's the growth mindset this team has.  They are going to savor this tonight and when we wake up tomorrow it's time to get better."

Alvernia 6, Anna Maria 1