YORK, Pa. – The York College field hockey team fell 1-0 to visiting Alvernia University Friday afternoon in the Spartans' season opener. The Green and White begin the 2009 campaign with a 0-1 mark while the Crusaders improve to 1-1 on the year.

The lone tally of the match came from sophomore forward Sarah George. Following an Alvernia penalty corner, the Crusaders' Christy Yousaitis found George on the left side of the Spartan cage. George wasted no time in finishing the opportunity, putting in what would prove to be the game winner only 6:55 into the match.

York's best opportunity came late in the opening frame off of a Megan Spangler (Myerstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon County) cross. From the left side of the field, Spangler struck a beautiful ball across the front of the Crusader net toward several on-running Spartans. That service would go begging however, as the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Crusaders.

For the game, the visitors' held a 12-6 advantage in shots while the Green and White posted seven penalty corners to Alvernia's four.

Sophomore netminder Abby Ebby secures her first win of 2009 as she made six saves over her 70 minutes of action. York's Claire Rekitzke (Seaford, Del./Seaford Senior) played well in the cage turning away eight Crusader attempts as well as knocking away several dangerous chances.

The Spartans return to action on Tuesday, September 8, opening their Capital Athletic Conference slate against Hood. The CAC tilt is scheduled for a 4:30 pm start in Frederick, Md.

BOX SCORE

Photo courtesy of Steve Doemland (www.stevedoemland.com)