Reading, Pa (October 11, 2023) - Ava Michael netted a goal in the third minute of the game to power Alvernia University (5-7, 1-1) to a 1-0 victory over Eastern University (5-7, 0-2) in a MAC Commonwealth field hockey matchup Wednesday evening at Alvernia.

Alvernia's Michael dispossessed an Eastern defender and dribbled her way through the defense before firing her shot toward the far post, beating Eastern's Abby Agapito to give the Golden Wolves a 1-0 lead in the third minute of play. 

The Golden Wolves controlled the first 15 minutes of action with three more shots and a penalty corner in the first quarter. Abbie Buck, Madison Speece and Kathryn Palmer all fired shots on goal in the first stanza but Eastern's Agapito saved all three to keep it a 1-0 game. 

Alvernia highlighted a scoreless second quarter by continuing to dominate the offensive zone by sending two shots on goal and tallying three penalty corners. Alvernia's Brianna Burkholder had a shot saved as well as Buck as the Golden Wolves maintained a one goal lead heading into the halftime break. 

Coming out of the half, Eastern threatened for the first time all game after Abby Hakes fired a shot toward the Alvernia goal but it was sent wide as the Golden Wolves kept the slight lead. 

The Golden Wolves then responded with five shots in the third quarter, two of which were saved by Agapito and Rori Caulfield hit the post. Alvernia also recorded four penalty corners during the third quarter but could not add to its lead as Alvernia went into the fourth quarter with a 1-0 lead. 

Alvernia rattled off five shots within the first ten minutes of the fourth quarter with three going on target. Caroline Martin fired a shot that was saved and one that flew wide, Palmer and Burkholder both had shots saved and Caulfield sent a shot wide. 

Olivia Catalano and Caulfield fired shots that were saved in the final minute of play as the Golden Wolves secured the 1-0 shutout victory over the Eagles. 

Lexi Boettcher earned the win in net for the Golden Wolves and earned the shutout. 

Michael led the Golden Wolves with the lone goal, Martin, Caulfield and Burkholder all tallied three total shots and Burkholder fired all three on goal. Palmer tallied two shots on goal and Buck tallied two shots on target. 

The Golden Wolves are back in action on Saturday when they host Albright at 8:00 PM to cap off Alvernia's Homecoming Weekend on Saturday.