Hoboken, NJ (March 8, 2022) - After trailing by five, Alvernia University (4-2) nearly pulled off the comeback stunner over undefeated Stevens University, (4-0) but the Golden Wolves came up one goal short as the Ducks took the 14-13 win over Alvernia on Wednesday afternoon at Stevens. 

Alvernia trailed 4-0 early, and, after tying it up in the second quarter, Stevens again pushed its lead to five to open the third quarter. The Golden Wolves battled back, tying it twice more, and trailed by just one in the final 90 seconds. But, the Ducks forced a turnover and ran down the shot clock to secure the 14-13 win over Alvernia. 

The Golden Wolves fended off an early push by Stevens in the opening minutes, with Kasey Fox making some fantastic stops in net for Alvernia to keep the Ducks off the board. 

Stevens finally snuck one by after about five minutes of action to take a 1-0 lead, and fired off three more goals in the next four minutes to jump out to a 4-0 lead.

Back-to-back goals from Natalie Frantz and Haleigh Lackner stopped the early Ducks' push and cut their lead in half, 4-2, with 2:22 left to go in the first.

Stevens had the final say of the first quarter, netting a goal with 1:48 left in the first.

Lackner fired off two shots as time closed out in the first, but Stevens was able to make a save and a block to take the 5-2 advantage into the second quarter.

Alvernia came into the second quarter firing off three straight goals. Meagan Moky got things rolling after taking the opening draw straight down the field and scoring in just 16 seconds. Erika Whitmoyer then scored back-to-back goals to even things up at 5-5 with 11:10 left in the first half.

Both teams went scoreless for the next six minutes until Stevens' Erica Schug broke the drought and put Stevens up 6-5. 

A successful free position attempt by the Ducks with 3:04 left in the quarter put Stevens up 7-5.

Alvernia had two solid looks in the final minute of the half. Mackenzie McKinney fired off a shot that was saved, and Moky nearly scored her second of the quarter. But, her attempt ricocheted off the post as time expired. 

Stevens came out of the half fast, posting two goals in the opening three minutes to push its lead to four, 9-5.

Lackner slowed the early momentum push by the Ducks with a goal at the 11:38 mark of the quarter. But, Stevens rattled off two more in the next two minutes to push its lead to five, 11-6.

A successful free position from Whitmoyer at the 7:14 mark brought Alvernia within four, 11-7, and Whitmoyer then connected with Olivia McCambly just over a minute later to bring Alvernia within three, 11-8.

Lackner and Moky then each converted free position goals at the 2:35 and 2:03 mark, respectively, to bring Alvernia within one, 11-10.

Lackner then evened it up at 11-11 after powering past five Duck defenders and firing into net off the right post with 58 seconds left in the third. 

The Ducks didn't let it stay tied for long, taking the next draw right down the field for a goal to go up 12-11. They held the 12-11 lead going into the fourth.

With 9:30 left in the game, Sophia Ruocca came around off the right post from behind the net and fired a shot past the goalie to even it up at 12-12. 

Alvernia had three shots on net over the next four minutes to try and take the lead, but all three were stopped by Stevens.

The Ducks would be the ones to break the tie, netting the go-ahead goal with 4:32 to play to take the 13-12 lead.

The Ducks added what would be a necessary insurance goal off a successful free position with just under three minutes to play to go up 14-12.

With just under 90 seconds to play, Natalie Frantz swept around the back of the net, beat her defender, and fired a shot inside the post to bring Alvernia within one, 14-13.

With 1:27 to play, Alvernia needed to win the next draw for a shot at the tie, and Moky did just that. She then raced down the field and nearly made it to the eight meter. But, Moky was triple-teamed and stick-checked from behind as the Ducks forced the turnover, picked up the ground ball, and cleared the ball through pressure. Stevens ran down the shot clock to secure the 14-13 win.

Fox played stellar in net for Alvernia, making a season-high 13 saves.

Whitmoyer, who was face-guarded much of the second half, led Alvernia's offense with three goals and two assists. Lackner finished with four goals on the afternoon and added four draw controls. Frantz and Moky finished with two goals, with Moky also winning four draws. 

Alvernia returns to action on Wednesday, March 16th at home against Immaculata.