ALFRED, NY—The Alfred University men's lacrosse team (7-1, E8 1-1) was handed its first loss of the season Wednesday evening by Nazareth College, despite a late offensive surge.
 
The offensive charge for the Saxons was led by freshman Jake Lynch (Whitney Point, NY/Whitney Point) and sophomore John Winchell (Vestal, NY/Vestal) scoring two goals each.  Senior Nicolas Wood (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua), sophomore Derek Bishopp (Livonia, NY/Livonia), junior Tanner Morse (Corning, NY/Corning East), and sophomore Keenan Denis (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) each scored one goal for AU. 
 
Leading the way for the Golden Flyers was Troy Haefele with six goals.  Teammate Luke Wooters assisted on every Haefele goal and finished with eight total helpers, along with three goals of his own.
 
Bishopp spread the ball around for the Saxons, producing two assists.  Sophomore Matt Zandri (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville), senior Ben DeMarco (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown), Winchell, and Morse each followed behind Bishopp with one assist.
 
To open the game the Golden Flyers surged for five goals in the first quarter, holding the Saxons scoreless in the first fifteen minutes.  Nazareth scored two more goals in the second quarter prior to AU jumping on the board.  Winchell was the first to break the silence for the Saxons on a pass from Morse with 11:26 to go in the half.  Lynch closed the gap once again only two minutes later when he rifled a shot from the top of the offensive box to the back of the net on a pass from Zandri.  For the rest of the half the Golden Flyers netted five more goals to increase the lead, 12-2.
 
Naz increased its lead in the third quarter on four goals to the Saxons' one goal.  Heading into the fourth quarter the scoreboard read 16-3.  In the final quarter the Golden Flyers opened with a goal that was soon answered by AU's Lynch.  Nazareth scored two more goals to increase the lead.  In the last 4:30 of the game, the Saxons owned the offensive possession of the ball, scoring four goals to decrease the lead.  In the end it was to no avail as the final horn sounded in favor of Nazareth, 18-9.
 
Freshman Drew Gardner (Whitney Point, NY/Whitney Point) started in goal for the Saxons, making nine saves.  Senior Tyler Beyor (Carthage, NY/Carthage) relieved Gardner, stopping two shots.
 
AU returns to the field Sat. March 28, against Stevens Tech at Yunevich Stadium.  The opening faceoff begins at 1:00PM.