ALFRED, NY—The AU men's soccer team was topped by the Buff State Bengals 1-0 in an intense non-conference matchup Tuesday evening.
 
Coming out of the gates the Saxons looked to own the tempo of the game, passing the ball masterfully around the field holding possession.  However, as the game went on Buffalo State started to create chances on the ball as well.
 
The Saxons reassumed possession dominance with ten minutes left in the game and began creating multiple threats on goal.  The first came with approximately 9:15 left in the first half and sophomore Richard Lander (Narrowsburg, NY/Sullivan West) charged into the box on a loose ball and savagely struck the ball.  However, as the ball wrapped around the keeper, it passed the opposite post as well.
 
It was Lander again with approximately 2:30 left in the half who won a ball at the top of the eighteen, spun and ripped a shot, but the ball was tipped away by Buff State keeper Hunter Hein. The Saxons threatened again with under a minute to go in the first when Ian St. Pierre (Ann Arbor, MI/Dexter) found the ball at the top of the box and took a cross body shot, but Hein was there with a full extension diving save to keep the game tied 0-0 going into the half.
 
The Bengals came out of the intermission ready to play and earned the sole goal of the game when Joe Vucic approached a bouncing ball just inside the eighteen and flicked it over the head of the charging freshmen keeper, Chris Gutierrez (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East).
 
Though they were down with only minutes left, the Saxons refused to give up, putting multiple scoring chances on goal.  Most notable of which was struck by Lander on a free kick in the 77^th minute that was tipped in the air by Hein, bounced off the crossbar and leaped out of play.
 
The physical game saw four yellow cards (1 to Alfred and 3 to Buff State).  Buff State held the advantage on corner kicks 5-4 and shots on goal with nine.  Gutierrez finished the night with eight saves.
 
The Saxons (6-5-2 Empire 8 2-1-1) take the field again on Homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 18^th at 7pm vs. Elmira College.