Buffalo, NY – The Alfred University women's soccer team came from behind to defeat Buffalo State 2-1 on Wednesday evening. The Saxons (8-3, 2-1 Empire 8) scored two goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half to pick up the win.
The Bengals were first on the board with a goal from Allie Reeds at the 31:15 mark. Buffalo State would go into the half with a 1-0 advantage.
AU would find a spark early in the second half when Natalie O'Brien (Syracuse, NY/ East Syracuse-Minoa) crossed the ball in front of the net for an easy finish by Sierra Wilson (Youngstown, NY/ Lewiston-Porter) to tie the game at one. O'Brien would then find the net herself in the 60thminute on a feed from Abigail Austin (Hornell, NY/Hornell) to give the Saxons the 2-1 lead. Alfred would lock down its defense from there on out to complete the 2-1 victory.
"I thought we came into the game a little flat in the first half. Buffalo State played a formation we hadn't seen yet this year so I think it took a little bit for the team to adjust to that," Head Coach Craig Yanni said. " We went into the half down 1-0 and I couldn't be more proud of how the team reacted to that in the second half. We came on with a different intensity than what we had in the first half and were able to get two goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half. I am very happy with how the team worked tonight against a very physical Buffalo State team."
Karah Landries (Angelica, NY/ Genesee Valley) led the Saxons with two shots on goal. Makenzie Cashmer (Weedville, PA/ Elk County Catholic) played all 90 minutes in goal with three saves.
AU will be on the road at Nazareth College for an Empire 8 matchup this Saturday at 12PM.
