Box Score
ANNVILLE, Pa. - After over 279 minutes without a goal, Lebanon Valley College was hoping for just one score to break the tension and help regain composure on the offensive side of the ball.
Ely Kirkhoff came through with that much-needed goal for the Dutchmen in the 10th minute and four of her teammates followed suit later in the game as LVC rolled to a 5-0 win over Alvernia in Commonwealth Conference women's soccer.
With the win, LVC evens its conference mark at 1-1-0 and is now 6-6-2 overall. The Crusaders fall to 2-11-0 in 2009 and 0-2-0 in CC play.
Kirkhoff picked an Alvernia defender's pocket just outside the box and broke in alone on goal. In a scenario similar to the one at the end of the game against Eastern, she took a few steps and then sent a low shot into the left corner for the first goal of the game.
The change in tempo from LVC was clearly evident after Kirkhoff's goal. The pressure to score was lifted and the Dutchmen went back to the attacking game that they were successful with early in the season.
Sara Drabenstadt added to LVC's lead with her fourth goal of the season in the 32nd minute. She collected an Emily Bainbridge pass and struck a quick shot on goal over the goalie's outstretched arms. Just over two minutes later, Courtney Catania scored an unassisted goal to pad the lead.
Johanna Walker scored her second career goal in the 44th minute to send the Dutchmen into halftime with a 4-0 lead. Catania set up Walker's goal for her third point of the day.
In the second half, Nicole Snyder scored on a breakaway for her fifth marker of the year.
Sami Young and Alyson Reitmeyer each played a half in goal for the Dutchmen. Young was not required to make a save in the first half, but still picked up the win. Reitmeyer made two saves in the second half.
Alvernia keeper Kirsten Kelley was under fire all game, with 28 total shots coming in her direction. Despite allowing five goals, Kelley's 11 saves were mostly of the spectacular variety and she did a good job of keeping the Crusaders in the game for the first 30 minutes until the Dutchmen broke down Alvernia's defense.
The Dutchmen are back on the field Oct. 14 at #1 Messiah a 7 p.m.
