Reading, Pa (October 18, 2023)  - First-Year Cristian Topovich netted two second half goals to lead Alvernia University (8-5-1, 4-0) to a 3-0 shutout victory over cross-town rivals Albright College (8-4-3, 0-3-1) in a MAC Commonwealth men's soccer matchup Wednesday night at Albright. 

A scoreless first half was highlighted by the Golden Wolves out shooting the Lions by a tally of 9-4. Ryan Cogill, Nick Willson and Zeke Zambrano all fired shots on target for Alvernia in the first 45 minutes but Albright keeper Chris Denholm saved all three. Gabe Wunderlich tallied two shots for Alvernia and Justin Fetrow and Connor Kraycik both fired shots at the Albright net but both went wide as the Golden Wolves and the Lions heading into the half locked at zero. 

The Lions came out of the break and fired three shots at the Alvernia net with two going on target but Alvernia keeper Evan Solley saved both that went on goal to keep the game tied at zero. 

The Golden Wolves netted their first goal 65 minutes into the game when Firdavs Mamadaliyev whipped a free kick into the box, Cogill rose above everyone on defense, including the keeper's hands and headed the ball into the back of the net to give the Golden Wolves a 1-0 advantage. 

Alvernia made it 2-0 in the 85th minute when Michael Pierce found the feet of Topovich on a throw in, Topovich then flicked the ball between two Albright defenders and fended off another on his left shoulder and blasted his shot past the keeper to make it 2-0 Golden Wolves late in the game. 

Topovich made it three just three minutes later after crashing the goal after a Willson free kick was saved by Denholm but Topovich was there to clean up the rebound and tapped the ball into the back of the net to secure the 3-0 shutout victory for the Golden Wolves. 

Solley recorded four saves in net for the Golden Wolves and earned the shutout victory, his fourth of the year. 

Alvernia was led by Topovich with two goals, Cogill added a goal and Mamadaliyev recorded an assist. Kraycik, Cogill and Topovich all led with three total shots with Cogill sending two on goal and Topovich put all three on net. Zambrano recorded a shot on goal and Austin Chambers fired his one shot on goal as well. 

The Golden Wolves are back in action when they travel to Messiah on Saturday to take on the #1 ranked Falcons in a MAC Commonwealth men's soccer matchup at 7:00 PM.