Reading, Pa. (Oct. 25, 2023) - Stevenson University (10-8, 3-3) needed just one goal to defeat Alvernia University (6-10, 2-4), 1-0, on Wednesday night in MAC Commonwealth field hockey action at Alvernia. 

Alvernia had a few opportunities early, picking up two corners in the opening five minutes. Alvernia had two looks on net with shots off the stick of Olivia Hess, but the Golden Wolves were unable to convert.

Alvernia had two more shots later in the first frame, but Stevenson's Jordan Vrandenbaugh kept the Golden Wolves off the board to send it to the second quarter scoreless. Alvernia did not allow a Stevenson shot in the first 15 minutes.

The Mustangs came into the second quarter firing, sending two shots at Alvernia's Lexi Boettcher in the 23rd minute. Boettcher fended them off, but the Mustangs were awarded a corner. On their third shot of the minute, the Mustangs broke through. Stevenson's Nicole Ziegler hammered a shot down off the post from a pass off the wing to give Stevenson the 1-0 lead.

The teams played out the remainder of the second quarter without a shot as Stevenson took the 1-0 lead into the half.

Alvernia came out of the half and struggled to get going. The Golden Wolves were not awarded a corner until the 41st minute, and were held without a shot on goal for the second straight quarter. Boettcher made two saves during the third quarter to keep Alvernia within one.

The Golden Wolves opened the fourth frame with three early corner opportunities. Gianna DeGregory and Brianna Burkholder each fired off shots, but both were saved by Stevenson to keep Alvernia off the board. Alvernia had one final corner opportunity in the final minute, but did not get a shot on net as the Mustangs came away with the 1-0 win.

Boettcher finished with six saves in net for Alvernia and Hess finished with a team-high two shots on goal.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday closing out the 2023 season at Widener.