Box Score Driving rain and a 30-minute delay due to lightning didn't do much to stop the Lancaster Bible women's soccer team, but Alvernia's defense proved to be too much as the Crusaders continued their trend of not allowing goals and shutout the Chargers, 2-0 on Tuesday.

The Chargers had the majority of the chances in the first half, but were unable to get any shots past Alvernia goalkeeper, Colleen Maher. 

"I thought we played well in the first half," Chargers' Head Coach Ken Craul said. "However, we came out flat in the second half and attempted too many straight runs."

With LBC's diminished execution, the Crusaders took over and began controlling much of the play that resulted in the game's first goal. After a miscommunication between LBC's defenders and goalkeeper Emily Lloyd, Alvernia's Bridget Verdel gathered a rebound and scored into an empty net.

"We had a communication breakdown on their first goal," Craul said. "We can't afford that when we play good teams like Alvernia. It's something we will correct moving forward."

LBC (0-2) had a few more chances late in the second half, but the Crusaders (2-0-1) put the game away with 8:03 remaining on a goal by Rachel Gimber. 

"Alvernia played well in the second half," Craul said. "I don't think it was us running out of gas like on Saturday against Goucher, but I think Alvernia just stepped up their play more than us."

Despite the 0-2 start to the season, Craul said he had seen enough good things to feel confident as the Chargers enter North Eastern Athletic Conference play on Friday.

"We have approached our preseason and these first two regular season games as markers to see where we were and what we needed to do better," Craul said. " We have found out we need to correct some things, but we also know that we have some good players and that we can compete in NEAC play."

The Chargers will begin NEAC play with back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. LBC will host Morrisville State on Friday at 2 p.m. and Cazenovia on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Chargers defeated both teams, 5-0 last season.

Notes:
-Alvernia has yet to allow a goal this season.

-Going to back to last season, the Chargers have not scored in three straight games.

-The last time LBC started a season 0-2 was 2009 when they were also shutout in both games.