MYRTLE BEACH, SC – The Alfred University men's lacrosse team was lead by two young guns in their win over the United States Merchant Marine Academy 15-6 on Wednesday during its spring break trip.

Sophomore Jake Lynch (Whitney Point, NY/Whitney Point) and freshman Joe Fornataro (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena) each had four goals on the day. Lynch added two assists while Fornataro recovered three ground balls.

Junior John Winchell also had two assists to tie with Lynch for the Saxon (3-1, 0-0 Empire 8) lead and added a goal as well. Senior Tanner Morse (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post East) and junior Nick Skibitsky (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East) each had two goals and an assist on the day. Morse also caused a turnover while Skibitsky picked up two ground balls.

Junior Rob Esmenger (Old Bethpage, NY/Old Bethpage JFK) and junior Derek Bishopp (Livonia, NY/Livonia) also scored and senior Pat Byrne (Boston, NY/Hamburg) assisted on a goal.

Sophomore goalie Drew Gardner (Whitney Point, NY/Whitney Point) made 12 saves and allowed half the goals in his 52 minutes of play. Chris Doktor (Irondequoit, NY/Eastridge) came in for relief and stopped two shots but allowed the other three goals in.

Merchant Marine got off to the early 1-0 lead at 13:10 before Morse tied it up at 7:31 with his unassisted goal. The Saxons would go on to tack on another seven goals before Merchant Marine would respond with one of their own. During that spree, Bishopp's goal would ultimately be the game-winner at 10:39 in the second quarter.

Junior Jimmy Pratti (Slatehill, NY/Minisink Valley) led both teams in ground balls and faceoff wins. He collected nine ground balls while winning 15-of-23 faceoffs. Senior Max Wilson (Menlo Park, CA/Menlo-Atherton) and junior Nathan Bellis (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) led the defense and the game in caused turnovers with three each while also collecting one ground ball apiece.

The Saxons will round out their South Carolina stay against Hilbert College tomorrow morning at 11:00 am before hosting back-to-back home games in non-conference action.