ALFRED, NY—The AU women's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss on Senior Night at Yunevich Stadium Saturday evening.
 
The Elmira College Soaring Eagles were off to a great start in Saturday evening's Empire 8 matchup putting four shots on goal in the first ten minutes of the game.  However, Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South), replacing the injured senior keeper Alicia Hanes (Vestal, NY/Vestal) who started the game, was a wall behind the Saxon defense.  The most threating chance came in the ninth minute when Alexa Barber of Elmira took advantage of a loose ball in the box, but Shanahan turned the ball away.  The ball returned to Barber's feet and she ripped another shot, but Shanahan was there again making an immaculate diving save to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Saxons were able to put a chance together themselves when Mary Hendee (Almond, NY/Alfred-Almond) broke into the box and put a powerful shot on goal.  Danielle Fournier was in on the save for the Soaring Eagles. The Saxons would ride their solid defense into the second half maintain the 0-0 tie.
 
The second half looked to repeat the first as the defenses of both the Saxons and the Soaring Eagles squared off their dominance.  Shanahan continued to show off her reflexes as well, making multiple game-saving plays as she made full extension stops on hard shots.  Elmira however, was able to finally sneak a goal past the freshman when Courtney Burgazli volleyed a ball from the eighteen to the opposite post and into the net in the 88^th minute.  This would prove to be the deciding factor in the game, leading Elmira to the win, 1-0.
 
Shanahan finished the evening with nine saves in the goal for the Saxons. 
 
The Saxons (3-12-2 Empire 8 0-7-0) travel to Amherst, NY to take on Daemen College for the season finale.
 
Seniors that were recognized tonight as part of Senior Night were Patricia Banahene (Brighton, NY/Brighton), Nicole Lobur (Akron, NY/Akron), Taylor Dezio (Marion, NY/Marion), Emily Heslop (Aurora, NY/Southern Cayuga), and Alicia Hanes (Vestal, NY/Vestal).  On behalf of the Alfred University athletic department we would like to congratulate all of you on your careers and thank you for all you have done for the department!  Good luck!