Huntingdon, Pa. (February 21, 2026) - Alvernia University (1-0) rattled off a ten goal second half en route to a 14-7 victory over Juniata College (0-3) Saturday afternoon in a non-conference men's lacrosse matchup at Juniata's Gibbel Stadium. 

The Golden Wolves held a two goal, 4-2, advantage heading into the halftime break thanks to two goals from Charles Oberman before the Alvernia offense erupted for ten goals in the final 30 minutes of action to secure the 14-7 victory over the Eagles. 

The victory comes as the fourth straight season opening victory for the Golden Wolves and the third straight against the Eagles. 

The win also is the first win in Luke Franklin's head coaching career. 

How it Happened 

• The Eagles grabbed the lead first after a goal in the first five minutes of the game but the Golden Wolves responded four minutes later with a Charles Oberman goal from Ethan McManus to tie the game at one heading to the second quarter. 
• Oberman then gave the Golden Wolves the lead two minutes into the second quarter with an unassisted goal to make it a 2-1 Alvernia lead. 
• Juniata tied it up at two after nine scoreless minutes but the Golden Wolves did not go down long as Jack Kenney won the faceoff and then went right down the field and put the ball into the back of the net ten seconds later to give the Golden Wolves the 3-2 advantage. 
• Alvernia tacked on one more goal in the first half which came with 46 seconds to go in the half when Jimmy Sparacio netted an unassisted goal to give the Golden Wolves a two goal, 4-2, lead heading to the halftime break. 
• The Golden Wolves came out of the halftime break and the combination of Oberman and McManus struck once more when Oberman netted his third goal of the game just seven seconds into the second half to make it 5-2. 
• The Eagles would not go away and tallied two man up goals in the next five minutes to pull within one, 5-4. 
• The Golden Wolves and the Eagles traded goals over the next two minutes after McManus found the back of the net to preserve the one goal, 6-5, Alvernia lead. 
• Alvernia tacked on two more goals in the final four minutes of the third quarter after McManus tallied a second goal in a row and Zackary Moats added his second of the game to make it an 8-5 ballgame heading to the final 15 minutes of play. 
• Sparacio pushed the Alvernia lead to four, 9-5, after a goal just over a minute into the fourth quarter but the Eagles responded with one just 21 seconds later to stay within striking distance, 9-6. 
• That did not last long as Alvernia ripped off four straight goals in the next seven minutes of game time to pull away with a 13-6 advantage with under three to play in the game. Oberman netted his fourth of the game, McManus completed his hat trick and Sparacio added his third and fourth goals of the game with back to back goals in just over a minute. 
• Juniata grabbed one more goal back with 2:25 to play in the game but the Golden Wolves answered right back after Oberman notched his fifth goal of the contest in the final minute to seal the seven goal, 14-7 victory for the Golden Wolves. 

Inside the Box Score

• Oberman's five goals matches a career high for the sophomore attackman after he netted five goals against Wilkes last year. Oberman recorded eight shots on goal and picked up three ground balls. 
• Jimmy Sparacio followed with a five point performance off four goals and one assist and tallied a team high 13 shots on goal. Sparacio also scooped up six ground balls and caused one turnover. 
• Ethan McManus netted a season opening hat trick and dished out two assists for five points on the afternoon and also picked up four ground balls. 
• Zackary Moats rounded out the Golden Wolves with multiple points and netted a goal and added an assist while also tallying five ground balls. 
• Jack Kenney was the final goal scorer for Alvernia and also led with 11 ground ball pickups and went 19-23 on the faceoff. 
• Jackson Schools shined in his Alvernia debut and caused a team high five turnovers, picked up four ground balls and did not commit a turnover in the victory. 
• Wesley Clemison also impressed on the defensive side of the ball and caused four turnovers and scooped up eight ground balls, only second to FOGO Kenney's 11. 
• Jack Mancha earned the win between the pipes for the Golden Wolves and tallied 12 saves in goal in his first collegiate start. 

Up Next 

• The Golden Wolves are back in action Wednesday when they travel to Immaculata to take on the Mighty Macs at 4:00 PM.