Reading, Pa. (Nov. 1, 2021) - After trailing 1-0 early, #4 Alvernia University (9-10) completed the comeback to defeat #5 Lebanon Valley College (9-10) 2-1 in the first round of the MAC Commonwealth Field Hockey Championship on Monday night at Alvernia.

Lebanon Valley opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a goal from Lexi Ward to give the Dutchmen the early 1-0 lead. 

Alvernia followed the Lebanon Valley goal with two quick back-to-back shots, but Lebanon Valley held off Alvernia to take a 1-0 lead into the second quarter.

The Dutchmen nearly extended their lead to 2-0 with a shot on goal in the 24th minute, but Alvernia's Lexi Boettcher made the save to keep it a 1-0 game.

After a turnover by Lebanon Valley in the 29th minute, Alvernia's Hailey Miller worked her way around multiple Lebanon Valley defenders. She had a look on net with Rori Caulfield off the right post, and Miller sent the ball in as Caulfield deflected it into net to tie the game up at 1-1.

The game went into half tied at 1-1.

Late in the third quarter, Alvernia nearly broke the tie when Hailey Miller got off a few quick shots right in front of the net. But, Lebanon Valley once again held off Alvernia.

Just 48 seconds into the fourth quarter, Alvernia broke through. Alvernia was awarded a corner and Felicia Getz sent it up to Brooke Spezialetti at the top of the circle. Spezialetti juked a defender and fired a shot in past multiple Lebanon Valley defenders. Mackenzie Smeigh was positioned on the goal line to finish off Spezialetti's attempt and deflect a goal into the back of the net. Alvernia held the 2-1 advantage with nearly the entire fourth quarter to play. 

Just a few minutes later, Maria Panettieri almost added an insurance goal for Alvernia after breaking away for multiple defenders. But, a dive towards Panettieri by the LVC keeper forced Panettieri's shot just off track to keep the game at 2-1.

The Dutchmen pushed late, getting two corners in the final 90 seconds. The first corner was called dead after a Lebanon Valley player hit the ball with the wrong side of her stick. The final corner was cleared by Alvernia to seal the 2-1 win.

Boettcher picked up three saves in net for Alvernia.

The Golden Wolves advance to the 2021 MAC Commonwealth Field Hockey semifinal on Wednesday night at #1 Messiah. #2 York hosts #3 Widener in the other semifinal game.