Reading, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2023) - Alvernia University (2-0-1, 1-0) opened up its UCHC schedule on Friday night with a 6-3 win over Neumann University (0-2, 0-1) in men's ice hockey action at Body Zone. 

Alvernia got on the board early with Matthew Davies continuing his hot start to the season with an unassisted goal 3:17 into the game. 

Alvernia then killed off a Neumann power play midway through the first period before Alvernia went on one of its own. After firing in four shots in the opening 30 seconds of the power play, Alvernia broke through on its fifth shot as Isaac Chapman found the back of the net off the assist of Frazer Dodd and Hunter Alden. Alvernia's 2-0 lead did not last long, though, as Neumann got on the board two minutes later to make it a 2-1 game with four minutes remaining in the first frame.

Alvernia sent in five shots in the final minutes of the period, but the game remained 2-1 going into the second.

Neumann tied the game up at 2-2 8:21 into the second period on a power play goal, but Alvernia retook the lead, 3-2, just 15 seconds later as Andrew Deschenes and Alden found Logan vande Meerakker for the goal.

Vande Meerakker then netted his second of the game - this time on a power play - just four minutes later to give Alvernia back its two goal lead, 4-2, with seven and a half minutes remaining in the second period.

Alvernia killed off a five-minute major at the end of the second period to take a two goal lead into the final frame.

Neumann got back within one, 4-3, midway through the third period on a power play goal, but Alvernia fended off the Knights the rest of the way while tacking onto its lead.

Alvernia goalie Jackson Fellner made six saves over the next eight minutes to keep the Knights at bay. Neumann then pulled its goalie and Alvernia took advantage as Alden and Dodd each scored empty net goals in the final minute to make it a 6-3 final for the Golden Wolves.

Alden led Alvernia with a goal and two assists and vande Meerakker finished with two goals. Alden also went 17-for-35 to lead the Alvernia faceoff, and Dean Noonan led Alvernia with four blocks. Jackson Fellner made 30 saves in his collegiate debut to pick up the win.

Alvernia is back in action tomorrow at Neumann to close out the series.