Reading, Pa (Oct. 29, 2022) - Alvernia University (1-0-1) defeated Rivier University (0-1-1) 4-2, in non-conference men's ice hockey action Saturday afternoon at BodyZone.  

The victory marked the first in NCAA men's ice hockey program history as Alvernia finished 1-0-1 in its opening weekend of play. 

The Golden Wolves struck just before the end of the first period when Gabriel Malek scored on a power play to give Alvernia a 1-0 lead with two minutes left in the period. Alvernia's Hunter Alden and Logan vande Meerakker assisted Malek on the goal. 

The Golden Wolves fired four more shots in the final two minutes of the first with three of them being blocked by Rivier. The fourth was saved to keep the Alvernia lead at one heading into intermission. 

A scoreless second period was highlighted by Rivier sending 12 shots on goal to Alvernia's nine. Andrew Bechard tallied two shots in the period for Alvernia, Sawyer Senio, Kyle Patton, Jake Sutton and vande Meerakker all added shots for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia extended its lead to two just over seven minutes into the final period when Jake Sutton found Rylan Gudnason who found the stick of Eli Rivers who deflected the puck into the back of the net to give the Golden Wolves a 2-0 lead. 

The Golden Wolves tallied their third of the game after Max Cole found Michael Andrews who fired the puck into the back of the Rivier net to make it 3-0 Alvernia with under eight minutes to go in regulation. 

Rivier pulled one back with three minutes left after two Golden Wolves penalties gave the Raiders a 6v3 opportunity after Rivier pulled its goalie. Jack Tos found the back of the net for the Raiders thanks to an assist from Zach Winslow and Tyler Duderstadt to make it 3-1 Alvernia. 

The Raider struck just a minute and a half later when Jon Tavella scored another power play goal after an assist from Ryan Nolte to cut the Golden Wolves lead to just one late in the third period. 

Alvernia's defense would hold strong in the final minute to hold off the Rivier attack. Frazer Dodd added the fourth and final goal for the Golden Wolves on an empty net in the final second of the game for the 4-2 win.

The Golden Wolves were led by Malek, Andrews, Rivers and Dodd who all tallied goals. Alden, vande Meerakker, Sutton, Gudnason and Cole all added assists for Alvernia. Senio and vande Meerakker both led the Golden Wolves with four shots on goal. 

Alvernia is back in action on Friday when they travel to Neumann University to take on the Knights in Alvernia's first conference game in program history. Game time is set for 7:00 PM.