SaxonTV YouTube Recap
ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's soccer team won in exciting, double-overtime fashion on Saturday afternoon over St. John Fisher College by a score of 2-1. With the win the Saxons (6-12, 5-2 Empire 8) secure the number two seed in the Empire 8 playoffs next Saturday at Stevens Institute of Technology.
The Cardinals took an early lead when a long pass was tapped into the net at the 13:49 mark to put SJFC up 1-0. The score would stay that way heading into halftime.
AU was able to break through early in the second half when a shot from
Tavian Hino (Livonia, NY/Livonia) deflected off the hand of the Fisher goalkeeper and into the back of the net. AU would put pressure on the Cardinals with multiple scoring opportunities in the second half but regulation would end with the score remaining 1-1.
The first overtime was uneventful and came to a close with the teams still tied at one. The second overtime brought excitement for Saxon fans when
Zachary Gloskin (New City, NY/Clarkstown South) put a perfect pass in front of the St. John Fisher net where
Michael Villafane (Las Vegas, Nevada/Arbor View) finished the job with a header for the game-winning goal.
"For the first time in Empire 8 competition the Alfred University men's soccer team are runners up and end the regular season with five conference wins. The whole squad, from the senior captains to the first-year players have had a hand in this success." Head Coach
Tracy Blake said.
Cody Cronmiller (Livonia, NY/Livonia) led AU with two shots on goal. Villafane, Hino and
Seamus Doyle (Sea Cliff, NY/North Shore) each had one shot on goal.
Joe Gonzalez (Marion, NY/Marion) recorded two saves on the day.
"Today's goals were firsts for Tavian [Hino] and Vegas [
Michael Villafane]. A great win against a well-coached St. John Fisher team. We are very excited to enter the playoffs," Blake said.
The Saxons will face number three-seeded Nazareth College in the semifinals of the Empire 8 playoffs next Saturday. The finals will be played on Sunday.
