READING, Pa. – Senior Amanda Smith tallied the game-winning goal in an overtime thriller giving Albright a 2-1 victory over Alvernia and sending the Lions to the MAC Commonwealth Tournament for the first time in school history.

It was a must-win game for Albright as the Lions faced a win or go home situation as the winner of the contest would secure the No. 4 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. The Lions will face top-seeded Messiah on Wednesday (Nov. 4) at a time to be determined at Messiah.

With time winding down in overtime, Smith got the ball at the 50-yard line and ran down the field with several Crusaders around her. She made one quick move around the goalie and put the shot into the back of the net with 81:21 showing on the clock.

It was only fitting that Smith tallied both of Albright's goals on the evening as she has had a record-breaking season for the Lions. Her two goals gives her 19 on the season, which breaks the record of 17 set by Angela Gardner and also increased her point total to 46 for the season which also broke the record of 43 set by Gardner.

In addition to the record-setting heroics of Smith, Albright also broke the school record for wins in a season by improving to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in conference play. The 11 wins surpasses the previous school record of 10 wins set during the 2012 campaign.

Less than five minutes into the game, Alvernia's Margaret Wentzel put the Crusaders on the board first to go up 1-0 from a deflected shot into the back of the net past Albright goalie Aileen Taylor. The goal was set up Summer Liberto's penalty corner with 4:03 on the clock.

The Lions continued their offensive attack and came roaring back.

Smith came up in a huge way and got the equalizer for the Lions at the 11:56 mark of the first period. She deflected a shot off the stick of Tracy Snyder into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

For the remainder of the first half, both teams had several chances to get the go-ahead goal but the defenses held their ground.  Alvernia had four shots in the first 35 minutes while Albright mustered two. The two teams earned two penalty corner's apiece.

Albright had two chances to go on top but were unable to do so. In the 39^th minute Smith took a great shot on target but Alvernia's Rebecca Brosious made a great stop. A minute later, Snyder had a terrific shot but it was saved also.

Albright's Taylor made two key saves in the 50^th and 51^st minute to keep it a 1-1 game as Wentzel and Liberto had the two scoring opportunities.

Alverina garnered a penalty corner with seconds remaining with time winding down but were not able to capitalize.

Smith powered the Lions with four shots in the game.  Synder and Amanda Long followed with one shot each in the game.

The Lions return to Shirk Stadium on Thursday (Oct. 29) at 7 p.m. for their final home game of the 2015 season against The College of New Jersey in non-conference action.