ROCHESTER, NY – The Alfred University men's soccer team was at Nazareth College on Saturday for the 2019 Empire 8 Championship against the top seeded Golden Flyers. 
 
The Saxons were coming off of a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory in the semi-final matchup at The Sage Colleges to send them to the title game but were unable to get by a tough Nazareth team to claim the throne in the Empire 8. 
 
Jon Nadolne (Port Washington, NY / Schreiber) was at work early and often as Nazareth fired shots toward the net several times in the opening half.
 
Nadolne and the Saxons fought off those shots but had trouble getting the offense going in their own right. 
 
At the end of the first half, it looked as though Nazareth had a great opportunity to go ahead as Sam Smyth was one on one with Nadolne, but his open shot hit the crossbar and the half ended tied at 0-0.
 
Alfred put some pressure on Nazareth in the early portion of the second half when the hero of the semi-final, Winston Thomas (Rochester, NY / University Prep.) put a shot on goal but the Golden Flyer goalkeeper saved that attempt. 
 
Tensions ran high over the next portion of the contest and Nazareth took advantage and broke through on the scoreboard in the 59^th minute to go ahead 1-0. 
 
Evan Merkey (Webster, NY / Webster Schroeder) had a shot saved at the 73:10 mark but the Saxons could not find the back of the net.
 
The lone Nazareth goal proved to be enough, sending the Golden Flyers to 1-0 victory and the 2019 NCAA Division III Soccer playoffs. 

"We're proud and happy with our team effort today versus Nazareth," Head Coach Tracy Blake said. "Congratulations to them on the victory. Our goal this year was to get to the playoffs and to the finals in the Empire 8 and we made that goal with a squad that showed passion, commitment and desire to compete when all seemed lost. I couldn't be prouder than I am right now of the whole team. Next year we have the same goal of getting to the playoffs and moving forward. Also thanks to the great supporters who showed up on a cold afternoon to keep us going."
 
The Saxons finish their 2019 campaign with an 8-12 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the Empire 8. This is the second consecutive season that Alfred men's soccer has participated in the Empire 8 playoffs, being eliminated by Nazareth both times.