Haverford, Pa. (Sept. 1, 2022) - A hat-trick by Alvernia University's (1-0) Brianna Burkholder powered the Golden Wolves to a 3-2 win over Haverford College (0-1) in the field hockey season opener on Thursday evening at Haverford.

Burkholder's hat-trick marks the first three career goals of the junior's career.

In a contested game that saw seven total cards, including five against the Fords, the first goal of the game came off a successful penalty stroke by Haverford for the 1-0 lead after just six minutes of action.

Alvernia evened it up with Burkholder's first of the evening - this one off a feed by Brooke Spezialleti on an Alvernia penalty corner - to even it up at 1-1 in the 11th minute.

Haverford answered back in the 20th minute with a hard shot by Delaney Snowden to mark her second goal of the evening and give the Fords the 2-1 advantage.

Burkholder again answered in the 29th minute to even the game at 2-2 after firing a shot in off a penalty corner feed from Abby Buck.

The game went into the half tied at 2-2, but Burkholder broke the tie in the 39th minute. Miller sent in a pass to Burholder who dribbled into the circle and fired a low shot into the back of the net to give Alvernia the 3-2 advantage. 

Alvernia's defense did not allow a shot on goal the rest of the way as the Golden Wolves took the 3-2 win to open their season.

Burkholder's hat-trick led Alvernia's offense, while Lexi Boettcher got the win in net with one save.

Alvernia returns to action on Sunday hosting Bryn Mawr at 2:00 PM.