Reading, Pa. (Jan. 7, 2024) - Alvernia University scored early and often enroute to a 7-2 win over Buffalo State University on Sunday afternoon at Body Zone to split the weekend non-conference series with Buffalo State.

Alvernia scored at least two goals a period and had a 7-0 shutout in place until the final five minutes of action. But, the Bengals never threatened as Alvernia improved to 8-5-1 overall and Buffalo State dropped to 7-9.

How it Happened

• Alvernia wasted no time getting on the board as Logan vande Meerakker scored his ninth of the season off the assists of Dean Noonan and Jake Sutton just over a minute into action. Vande Meerakker's shot came in off the blue line and snuck under the Bengal goalie. 
• Just three minutes later, Alvernia made it a 2-0 game with Isaac Chapman getting the puck past the left skate of the Buffalo State goalie off the passes of Matthew Davies Christian Dahl.
• Alvernia kept it rolling with its third of the period at the ten minute mark as Dahl fired one in from in front of the net off the passes of Hunter Alden and Chapman.
• Both teams survived a slew of penalties in the second half of the period as Alvernia took the 3-0 lead into the second frame.
• The Golden Wolves outshot the Bengals 23-11 in the first period, with Alvernia sending 16 on net to the Bengals seven.
• Alvernia kept it going in the second period with a goal just 54 seconds into the second period. Chapman netted his second of the night off the assists of Hunter Alden and vande Meerakker. 
• After a fifth goal for Alvernia was called off after it was determined it went under the net, Alvernia still made it a 5-0 game late in the second period off the assists of Riley Egan and Andrew Deschenes. 
• The Bengals and Golden Wolves were nearly even in shots in the second period with 19 for Alvernia and 18 for Buffalo State, but the Golden Wolves outshot the Bengals on net, 12-9.
• Alvernia made it a 6-0 game midway through the third period on an absolute rocket of a shot from just inside the blue line that went untouched into the back of the net. Eli Rivers and Alden assisted on the goal
• Chapman then recorded a hat trick to make it 7-0 with six minutes to play off the assists of vande Meerakker and Alden. 
• The Bengals scored two goals in the final five minutes of the period to spoil the shutout, but Buffalo never threatened as Alvernia came away with the 7-2 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Both Chapman and Alden finished with four points each. Chapman's came off of three goals and an assist, and Alden finished with four assists. 
• Vande Meerakker finished with one goal and two assists, and Dahl finished with a goal and an assist to round out Alvernia's multi-point finishers
• Alvernia had 12 players record a point or more.
• Jacob Stern finished with 30 saves for the win in net for the Golden Wolves.

Of Note

• Alden's four assists set a new single-game record for Alvernia. The previous record was three by Matthew Davies on February 5, 2023 vs. Albertus Magnus.
• Alvernia finished with 14 total assists on the night, which sets a new team record for the Golden Wolves. Alvernia previously had 12 assists in two games last season.
• Alvernia also finished with 21 team points, which broke the previous record of 20 points in a game (December 3, 2022 vs. Manhattanville).
• Alden and Chapman's four points ties Alvernia's single-game record for points in a game. They tied Jason Finan, who had four points against Lebanon Valley on February 17, 2023.
• Chapman's three goals also ties the single-game goal record. He joined Finan from February 17, 2023, and Davies against Rivier in Alvernia's season-opener earlier this season.

Up Next

• Alvernia will take its 8-5–1 record out to Pittsburgh next weekend for a two game series against Chatham as the Golden Wolves return to UCHC play. 
• The Cougars are 5-7 overall and 4-6 in UCHC action.