UTICA, NY--The Alfred University women's soccer team fell to the Utica College Pioneers 4-1 in a Saturday night Empire 8 matchup.

The Pioneers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half with their unassisted goals coming in the 12th and 23th minutes. Alana Fitzpatrick put in the first goal after a botched AU clear attempt. Then Maddisen Melley found twine just 11 minutes later after her first shot ricocheted off a Saxon defender and back to the feet of the Pioneer for the Utica 2-0 lead.

AU looked to mount a comeback in the second half when Lauren Wyant put the ball into the box off a corner kick and found Nicole Lobur for the header creating a close 2-1 contest.

However, Melley and the Pioneers had other plans posting another goal in the 70th minute off a rebound from what originated as a Jenna Hughes shot that was saved by freshman goalie Sammy Jo Shanahan. The quirky play put the Pioneers up 3-1. Just over six minutes later, Hughes increased the lead with a header from two yards out.

Lobur led the Saxon offensive with two shots and both were on target. The remaining three Alfred shots were all on goal, coming from Mary Hendee, Delaney Martin and Marlana Crevison. Shanahan finished the evening with 10 saves.

Keri Berkowitz picked up the win for Utica with one save in the first half shutout. Kelly Heimerie picked up three saves despite allowing the lone Saxon second half score. Berkowitz entered the field during the second half of play and posted the Pioneers' best on goal percentage, having all four of her shots aimed at Shanahan.

Out of the game's 25 shots, 19 were on goal with all six missed shots happening to Pioneer players.

Both teams were near even from the corner with Utica edging the 6-5 advantage in awarded kicks. Both teams only had one opportunity apiece in the first half.

The Saxons drop to 3-10-2 overall and 0-6 in the Empire 8 while the Pioneers are upped to 5-8-1 and 1-5 in the conference with the win.

The Saxons take to the road for their final Empire 8 away game of 2014 when they head to Rochester, NY to face the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College on Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. Afterwards, AU will host Elmira College on Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 pm before traveling to Amherst, NY for its final game of the season against Daemen College (NY) on Wednesday, October 29 with a time still yet to be confirmed.