ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's soccer team hosted Utica College on Saturday evening in an Empire 8 battle at Yunevich Stadium. The Saxons (5-5-3, 1-2-1) overcame an early deficit to defeat the Pioneers by a score of 3-1.
The first half began with Alfred taking all of the shots around the net.
Abigail Austin (Hornell, NY / Hornell) and
Emily Wright (Dallas, TX / Plano West) fired multiple shots but did not find the back of the net on any of those.
Utica finally had a pass sneak to the opposite end and took advantage as Mikayla Blumenstock buried it for a goal to put the Pioneers up 1-0.
That score held through the end of the first half.
The Saxons came out with more life in the second half.
Natalie O'Brien (Syracuse, NY / East Syracuse-Minoa Central) made some flashy moves then took a shot that found its way through multiple Utica defenders and into the net to tie the game at one.
In the 62
nd minute, Alfred took the lead when Wright fed a pass to
Keira Palumbo (Northport, NY / Northport) for the go-ahead goal.
Minutes later the Saxons added an insurance goal when O'Brien sent a long pass out of the corner almost directly into the net and Austin was there to clean it up for the goal and put AU ahead 3-1.
The score would remain that way for the final 22 minutes of play and give the Saxons their first Empire 8 victory of the season.
AU will have a quick turnaround as they head to Buffalo State College for a matchup with the Bengals next Wednesday at 7PM.
