Reading, Pa (November 17, 2024) - Alvernia University (13-7) took home the 2024 ECAC field hockey title after a 1-0 shutout victory over Husson University (10-9) Sunday afternoon at Alvernia. 

Alvernia's Abbie Buck netted the lone goal of the game in the tenth minute of the first quarter to give the Golden Wolves the early lead. Alvernia goalie Lexi Boettcher saved all seven shots on goal that she faced to keep the shutout in her final collegiate game. 

The ECAC title is the first for the Golden Wolves since the fall of 2017 when they took down FDU-Florham 2-0 to secure the title. 

How it Happened 

• The Golden Wolves struck first with 5:45 left in the first quarter after Alvernia was awarded a penalty corner. Olivia Hess inserted the corner for the Golden Wolves and the ball found its way to Gianna DeGregory who fired a shot at the goal, Husson's Leah Pushard recorded a defensive save on the shot but the ball fell to Abbie Buck who flipped the ball into the back of the cage to put Alvernia up 1-0 early. 
• Husson recorded its only shot of the first quarter in the final two minutes but Alvernia's Lexi Boettcher made the save as the Golden Wolves took a 1-0 lead into the second quarter. 
• A scoreless second quarter saw the Eagles send four shots at the Alvernia goal with three going on target but Boettcher was there yet again to save all three and send the game into the halftime break with the Golden Wolves up 1-0. 
• The Eagles recorded three shots to Alvernia's two in a scoreless third quarter but all three of Husson's shots went off target. Alvernia's Kelsy McClintock fired a shot that went just wide and DeGregory tallied a shot on goal that was saved as Alvernia held the slim, 1-0 advantage heading into the final 15 minutes of action. 
• The Golden Wolves recorded six shots in the final 15 minutes but could not find the back of the net to extend the lead. The Eagles recorded five penalty corners and ripped three shots, all of which went on net but Boettcher remained a brick wall for the Golden Wolves and saved all three to secure the 1-0 shutout victory over the Eagles and clinch the ECAC Field Hockey title for the first time in seven years. 

Inside the Box Score 

• Abbie Buck ended her career in dramatic fashion and netted the game winning goal in her final collegiate game. 
• Gianna DeGregory recorded two shots on goal for Alvernia and helped lead the Golden Wolves defense to a shutout in her final collegiate game. 
• Kelsy McClintock recorded four shots and one shot on goal. 
• Lexi Boettcher tallied seven saves on all seven shots on goal she faced to secure the shutout victory. 

Of Note 

• Boettcher's shutout was the fifth of the season and matched a career high for her in a season and her 12 career shutouts ranks her 5th in program history. Boettcher also finished her career with 341 saves, which ranks her 4th all time and her 135 saves this season was the most saves by an Alvernia goalie since Erin Wunsch recorded 135 in 2014. 
• The ECAC title is the fourth in Alvernia Field Hockey history and the first in seven years. 

ECAC All-Tournament Team 

• Tessa Capozzoli (Husson)
• Faith Tillotson (Husson)
• Maddie Perkins (Husson)
• Dani Poulsen (VA Wesleyan)
• Abbie Buck (Alvernia)
• Lexi Boettcher (Alvernia)
• Gianna DeGregory (Alvernia)
• Kathryn Palmer (Alvernia)
• Kelsy McClintock (Alvernia)
• Olivia Hess (Alvernia)
• Carley Mackert (Alvernia)

Up Next

• The victory marks the conclusion of Alvernia's season. The Golden Wolves finished with a 13-7 overall record and a 5-2 record in the MAC Commonwealth.