Reading, Pa. (Oct. 19, 2022) - Alvernia University (10-5, 4-2) picked up an important win over Lebanon Valley College (7-8, 3-3) on Wednesday night with a 3-1 win over the Dutchmen in MAC Commonwealth field hockey action at Alvernia.

With the win, Alvernia improves to 4-2 in MAC Commonwealth play, breaking what was a three way tie at 3-2 going into the day. Alvernia is now tied for third place with Widener at 4-2 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Golden Wolves close out their conference schedule with Stevenson and Widener over the next week.

Alvernia had an opportunity early with a corner attempt, but a shot by Brooke Spezialetti was saved by Lebanon Valley keeper Kayleigh Kmet to maintain the early 0-0 tie.

The Golden Wolves were held shotless the rest of the first quarter, and were able to keep three Lebanon Valley shots out of net to take the 0-0 game into the second quarter.

The 0-0 tie did not last long into the second frame. Alvernia was awarded a penalty corner in the 19th minute and the insert went to Spezialetti up high. Spezialetti worked her way around a few Dutchmen defenders and slid a shot in from the top of the circle to just inside the right post to give Alvernia the 1-0 lead.

The Golden Wolves tacked onto their lead in the 29th minute when Abbie Buck sent a corner into Brianna Burkholder. Burkholder stopped the insert and fired a bullet into the goal. Alvernia took the 2-0 lead into the half.

Alvernia opened the second half with four early corner attempts, but were unable to add on to the lead until the 37th minute when Burkholder redirected a pass from Makenzie Smeigh into the top left of the net for her second of the night to give Alvernia the 3-0 lead.

Lebanon Valley evened it up with a man-down goal off a corner attempt in the 46th minute. The insert went to Emily Kline and Kline fired a shot at net that was never touched by an Alvernia defender to end the shutout bid and get Lebanon Valley on the board, 3-1.

Alvernia's defense did not allow a shot the rest of the game as the Golden Wolves came away with an important MAC Commonwealth victory. 

Boettcher finished the night with four saves, and Burkholder led the offense with two goals.

Alvernia returns to action on Saturday at Stevenson. .