READING, Pa. – The Arcadia University field hockey team opened Commonwealth Conference play Saturday afternoon with an overtime loss to host Alvernia University, 3-2. It was both schools' first conference game of the season.

The game was tied at two apiece at the end of regulation but the Crusaders (5-4, 1-0) closed out the game within the first two minutes of overtime after sophomore forward Margaret Wentzel scored her team-leading 10th goal of the season.

Both teams traded goals back and forth for the two halves of regulation, with the Knights striking first in the match. Sophomore forward Erin Misner scored her first goal of the season, unassisted, in the 20th minute to give Arcadia a 1-0 lead. The Crusaders responded just 2:17 later as freshman forward/midfielder Hailey Knowlton took a pass from Wentzel and put it to the back of the cage to knot the game at one.

The second half was similar to first as Arcadia struck first in the sixth minute of the half after junior forward Rachel Longenecker took a feed from classmate Tess Brzezynski and shot past Alvernia's sliding goalkeeper for her fourth goal of the year. The assist from Brzezynski was her team-leading fifth of the season.

The Crusaders then scored with 7:20 left in regulation as junior midfielder/defender Emily Kelly shot her own rebound into the net to tie the match at two.

Senior goalie Erin Wunsch recorded nine saves for Alvernia to earn the win in goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Brittany Hodson allowed three goals while making eight saves for the Knights while suffering her first loss in goal of the year.

The Crusaders held a 15-12 advantage in shots for the game, while Arcadia held a 13-8 advantage in penalty corners.

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Glassboro, New Jersey for a 7 p.m. non-conference match against Rowan University.