Stevenson, Md. (September 30, 2023) - Alvernia University (4-4, 1-0) grabbed a late equalizer thanks to a penalty kick from Connor Kraycik to take down Stevenson University (1-5-4, 0-1) 2-1, in a MAC Commonwealth men's soccer matchup Saturday afternoon at Stevenson. 

The Golden Wolves took an early lead in the first half but Stevenson evened the game up at one in the 55th minute. Alvernia then converted a penalty kick in the final two minutes of the game to clinch the 2-1 victory in its MAC Commonwealth opener. 

The Golden Wolves got the offense going early in the game when Ryan Cogill had a shot blocked and Gabe Wunderlich sent a shot high within the first two minutes of the contest. 

The Mustangs tested the Alvernia defense in the 20th minute when Bryant Seivers ripped a shot from outside the box into the top left corner of the net but Alvenia keeper Evan Solley got his hand to it and denied Seivers to keep the game knotted at zero. 

The Golden Wolves grabbed the lead in the 24th minute of the first half when Evan Bauer played a long through ball down the ride side to Cogill, Cogill dribbled the ball down the wing, turned a Stevenson defender and slotted his shot past the keeper to give Alvernia a 1-0 lead midway through the half. 

Alvernia threatened to get a second before the half when Alvernia's Evan Case went on a solo run down the right wing, shielding off defenders, Case fired a shot on goal but Stevenson's Nolen Olson-Warwick saved the shot to keep it a 1-0 game heading into the half. 

The Mustangs found an equalizer ten minutes into the second half when Andy Portillo and Leland Wexler assisted Landon Eaton to tie the game at one. 

The Golden Wolves fired two shots in the next 15 minutes of the game with Cogill hitting the post and had the second shot saved by Olsen-Warwick to keep the game tied at one. 

Alvernia found its chance to take the lead in the 88th minute of the game when Cogill was fouled inside the box by a Stevenson defender, awarding the Golden Wolves a penalty kick.  Connor Kraycik stepped up to the spot for Alvernia and buried his attempt into the bottom right corner of the goal to give the Golden Wolves a late 2-1 lead. 

The Alvenia defense held strong in the final two minutes of the game to secure the 2-1 victory against the Mustangs. 

Solley tallied three saves in net for the Golden Wolves and earned the win. 

Cogill and Kraycik led Alvernia with goals, Cogill recorded four shots, Kraycik added two and Wunderlich and Justin Fetrow each tallied one shot. 

The Golden Wolves are back in action on Monday when they host Franklin and Marshall in a non-conference matchup at 7:00 PM at Alvernia.