Reading, Pa. (Feb. 19, 2022) - Alvernia University (1-0) went on a 7-0 run over three quarters to pull away from Gwynedd Mercy University (0-2) and open its 2022 season with a 17-10 win over the Griffins on Saturday morning in non-conference women's lacrosse action at Alvernia. 

With the game locked at 3-3 with 3:16 remaining in the first quarter, Alvernia held Gwynedd Mercy scoreless for nearly 20 minutes of action while racking up seven goals of its own to jump out to a 10-3 lead. Alvernia went on to win the game 17-10. 

Alvernia rattled three shots off early, including a free position attempt, but the Griffins kept the Golden Wolves off the boards. The fourth attempt was successful as Haleigh Lackner netted Alvernia's first of the season after just under three minutes of action. Two and a half minutes later, Alvernia went up by two with Mackenzie McKinney connecting with Meagan Moky for the 2-0 lead.

Gwynedd Mercy evened it up at 2-2 after two goals in just under 35 seconds, but Lackner put Alvernia back in front with a succesful free possession attempt with 5:05 left in the first quarter.

The Griffins again tied it up, but Alvernia held off a lead change as Natalie Frantz and Lackner each netted a goal over a 45 second span to put Alvernia in front, 5-3, and start Alvernia's 7-0 run.

Lackner would net her fourth of the game and Erika Whitmoyer scored her first to put Alvernia up 7-3 going into the second quarter. 

Alvernia was held to just one goal - an early second quarter shot from Sophia Ruocco - in the second quarter to take an 8-3 lead into the half.

Alvernia came out of the half and increased its lead to 9-3 on a goal by Frantz. Just 11 seconds later, Moky took a draw control straight down the field and fired it into the back of net to put Alvernia up 10-3 with 13:07 left in the third quarter and cap off its 7-0 run.

A goal from the Griffins ended their scoreless drought with 11:25 left in the third, but a man-up goal from Lackner kept Alvernia's lead at seven, 11-4, with 10:59 to play.

After a Gwynedd Mercy goal at the 10:42 mark of the third quarter, Alvernia scored four goals over two minutes, including two from Olivia McCambly and two from Whitmoyer, to increase its lead to ten, 15-5, with 8:08 to play in the third.

The game went scoreless for the next six minutes until Lackner capped off the quarter with a goal off a Whitmoyer pass to give Alvernia the 16-5 advantage going into the final frame.

Alvernia's only goal of the fourth quarter came from Natalie Frantz, but the Griffins could not get any closer than seven as Alvernia came away with the 17-10 win.

Lackner scored a career high six goals on just eight shots to lead the Alvernia offense. Whitmoyer finished with three goals and three assists to also pick up six points. Frantz recorded a hat trick with three goals. 

Katharine Giannaras picked up the win in net with 11 saves.

Alvernia returns to action on Wednesday, hosting DeSales at 4:00 PM.