READING, Pa. - The Neumann University women's ice hockey team got off to a strong start in the Keystone Holiday Classic on Friday evening, knocking off host Alvernia University by a score of 5-2.
 
Katelyn Brown (2 g) and Mikaylee Henhawk (1 g, 1 a) carried the Knights offensively in the win with two points apiece. Helen Cooney took home the victory in goal, stopping 26 shots on the evening.
 
A dominant first period for Neumann saw the visitors outshoot Alvernia by a count of 23-5. Despite the heavy shot advantage, the Knights were only able to find the back of the net once in the frame. Heather Levy recorded her first collegiate goal off a feed from Syd Ladwig at 12:38 to give Neumann a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.
 
Alvernia played a much stronger period in the second stanza, but the Knights found a way to add to their lead. Neumann tallied twice in the frame via goals from Henhawk and Brown midway through the period to take a commanding 3-0 lead into the third.
 
The Golden Wolves tried to get back into the game with an early third period goal to make it 3-1, but the Knights responded with a pair of goals just 1:17 apart late in the final frame from Brown and Braeden Ott to rebuild their lead to 5–1 with under four minutes left to play. Alvernia scored a late consolation marker, but the Knights skated away with a comfortable 5-2 road win.
 
With the victory, Neumann (6-3-0) advances to the Keystone Holiday Classic Championship game tomorrow versus Lebanon Valley College. Puck-drop is scheduled for 3:30 PM.