ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's soccer team fell in Empire 8 action to Utica College behind a first half goal on Saturday afternoon at Yunevich Stadium.
 
The Saxons (3-8-2, 2-3-0 Empire 8) and the Pioneers (6-5-1, 3-2-0 Empire 8) were evenly matched in first half shots with Alfred having seven and Utica having six in the first half. Utica fired 13 shots in the second half while AU had four in the closing period. Despite the disadvantage in the second half, AU kept Utica scoreless in the half.
 
"Tough loss today and we will need to pick it up for our last three E8 games," Head Coach Tracy Blake said.
 
The Pioneers scored in the 20^th minute of play, as Ramazani Juma put a long pass up the home bleacher side of the field where Byamungu Mugushu put the ball into the back corner of the goal for what would ultimately be the game-winning goal.
 
Daniel Koenig (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) made five saves in goal for the Saxons while Mason Sanborn (Wappingers Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) made a defensive save. Offensively, Andrew Carrillo Macias (Reno, NV/North Valley) led with four shots and one shot on goal.
 
The Saxons will next host Houghton College on Wednesday, October 20 at 7:00pm.