Reading, Pa. (Jan. 2, 2024) - Morrisville State used a three-goal second period to power past Alvernia University for a 5-0 win over the Golden Wolves on Tuesday evening in non-conference women's ice hockey action at Body Zone.

Alvernia's defense held off a strong offensive showing by the Mustangs through the first period, but Morrisville broke through in the second period and never looked back en route to the 5-0 win. With the loss, Alvernia dropped to 8-2-1 overall and the Mustangs improved to 7-5.
 
How it Happened

• The Mustangs got off to a strong start in the first period, but Alvernia's defense, behind goalie Julia Beaven, kept the Mustangs off the board. The Mustangs outshot Alvernia 27-4 in the first period, with the Mustangs putting 14 shots on goal to Alvernia's three. Beaven had 14 saves in the period, and Alvernia's defense combined for another seven blocks.
• Alvernia killed off a powerplay as well in the first period after getting hit with a tripping call midway through the period. The Mustangs fired off three shots on net during the power play, but could not convert. 
• Morrisville picked up right where it left off in the second period, and this time the Mustangs broke through. Morrisville scored its first of the game just under three minutes into the period off a goal from Madison Tomkins and made it a 2-0 game two minutes later off another goal from Tomkins. The Mustangs capped off the period with a goal with ten minutes to go in the period to take a 3-0 lead. 
• Alvernia had one power play opportunity in the period, which came in the 18th minute of the period. But, Alvernia only was able to get one shot off on goal during the power play opportunity.
• The Mustangs outshot Alvernia 39-6 during the second frame, with 21 shots on goal for the Mustangs to Alvernia's four shots. Alvernia made 18 saves during the period and another eight blocks.
• Alvernia had another power play opportunity early in the third period, but could not break through the Morrisville defense.
• The Mustangs added a fourth goal nearly 12 minutes into the third period, and made it a 5-0 game on a short-handed goal with six minutes to play. 
• Alvernia had a 4v4 opportunity in the final minute of action to try to spoil the shutout bid, but the Golden Wolves could not convert as Morrisville came away with the 5-0 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Amber Steinhilpert and Alex Robertson finished with a team-high three blocks each. Robertson also had a team-high eight faceoff wins on 13 takes.
• Beaven and Juliana Rodgers split time in goal for Alvernia. Beaven finished 24 saves and Rodgers finished with 20 saves.
• Morrisville's Tomkins and Alana McDonald finished with three points each - Tomkins off of two goals and an assist, and McDonald finished with a goal and two assists.

Of Note

• Alvernia's 20 blocks on Tuesday marked the second time this season Alvernia finished a game with 20 or more blocks in a game this season. The other occurrence happened on November 11 at Arcadia with Alvernia finishing with 26 blocks.
• Tuesday marked the third matchup between the Golden Wolves and Mustangs. Morrisville State is now 3-0 all-time against Alvernia.
• The five goals allowed by the Golden Wolves on Tuesday were the most allowed by Alvernia since the Golden Wolves gave up six in a 6-1 loss to Nazareth on February 12, 2022.

Up Next

• Alvernia will take its 8-2-1 record back into UCHC play on Friday night when the Golden Wolves welcome Utica University to a Body Zone. The Pioneers are 9-1-2 on the season and were ranked #9 in the country in the last USCHO ranking. Utica has not played since December 9th and is coming off a narrow 1-0 loss to #8 Hamilton.
• The Pioneers have a 6-0 record over the Golden Wolves dating back to their first meeting back in February of 2020.