BRADFORD, PA – A trio of Saxons scored in the first half to lift the Alfred University men's soccer team (1-5, Empire 0-0) to its first win of the 2018 season, 3-1, against Pitt-Brad on the road.
 
The Saxons wasted no time forcing offense onto the Panthers, recording a corner in the opening minute. Sophomore Zachary Gloskin (New City, NY/Clarkstown South) ripped a shot on goal in the fourth minute but was turned away by the keeper. First year Tavian Hino (Livonia, NY/Livonia) followed up with another shot on goal in the seventh minute but AU was turned away again.
 
The Saxons broke the tie when first year Michael Villafane (Las Vegas, NV/Arbor View) found the back of the net in the 26^th minute, converting a pass from senior Cody Cronmiller (Livonia, NY/Livonia), scoring his first collegiate goal. Four minutes later, Cronmiller added a goal of his own, doubling AU's lead, 2-0, for his first goal of the 2018 campaign. The Saxons continued to threaten over the following minutes, locking the ball into the offensive end with three corner kicks over the next eight minutes.
 
Hino tried his luck again in the 39^th minute, looking to score his first collegiate goal, but his shot was parried away. Another first year, Gavin Harrington (Elmira, NY/Notre Dame), notched his first collegiate goal to round out AU's scoring in the 45^th minute. The Saxons took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the intermission.
 
The Panther rebounded early in the second half, scoring only three minutes into the period. However, the AU defense remained steadfast down the stretch allowing only three more shots on goal. The final shot came in the 90^th minute when senior goalkeeper Joe Gonzalez (Marion, NY/Marion) stopped the Panthers attempt to score on a penalty kick.
 
"We played well against a well-organized Pitt-Bradford team," Head Coach Tracy Blake said. "We took a while to get used to the grass pitch but started to compete immediately at the start. I am very happy with the play from several first years playing in the game, especially Michael Villafane who scored his first collegiate goal, along with Mason Sanborn and Tavian Hino. We still need to work on some tactical issues as we go into Empire 8 Conference play, but we are getting stronger every day."
 
The Saxons held an advantage in shots (18-12), corner kicks (14-4) and saves (7-6). Gonzalez went the distance between the pipes, stopping seven shots on goal.

AU is back in action on Saturday, September 15 when it travels to Utica, NY to take on the Pioneers of Utica College to open Empire 8 play. Kickoff is at 7PM.