ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's soccer team fell to visiting Nazareth College Tuesday evening, 1-0 at Yunevich Stadium. Nazareth has been receiving votes in the Top 25 United Soccer Coaches Association ranking coming into tonight's action.
 
The Saxons (6-8-3, 2-3-2 Empire 8) played a solid game defensively led by senior Miranda Gilbert (Watertown, NY/Watertown), sophomores Danielle Perry (Leicester, NY/York) and Keira Palumbo (Northport, NY/Northport) along with first-year Amanda Guariglia (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South) that helped cause confusion for the Golden Flyers and kept them scoreless for over 90 minutes of play and forcing overtime. Coming into the game, the Golden Flyers averaged just fewer than two goals per contest.
 
"The team executed the game plan well and played a smart game," Head Coach Craig Yanni said. "Sammy Jo [Shanahan] continued to be a leader and stepped up for us when we needed her most. In the final 30 minutes of play we tried to push more offensively to try and win the game."
 
Alfred's lone shot attempt came from junior midfielder Olivia Cronmiller (Livonia, NY/Livonia) which was saved by Hannah Miller. Senior goalkeeper Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South) made nine saves on ten shots faced. The lone goal of the game was scored by Miranda Timberlake, assisted by Elizabeth Guidi.
 
The Saxons will next host Utica College on Saturday at 5 pm in the season closer. Saturday is also Senior Day in which Gilbert, Shanahan, Leigha Allen (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool), Taylor Miller (Medina, NY/Medina) and Sara Nostrant (Buffalo, NY/Mount Mercy Academy) will have their careers celebrated.