ALFRED, NY – Sophomore attack Justin Mosher (Hilton, NY/Hilton) tallied a career-high nine points, guiding the Alfred University Men's Lacrosse team to a dominating 24-7 non-conference victory over Elmira, from Yunevich Stadium Thursday afternoon.
 
It was the season opener for both Alfred (1-0) and Elmira (0-1). The Soaring Eagles have opted out of the Empire 8 lacrosse season, thus making this contest between conference foes a non-league matchup.
 
Alfred enjoyed a 66-22 shot advantage. The Saxons won 32-of-35 face-offs and also won the ground battle, 46-23. Alfred was a near-perfect 15-of-16 in clear attempts and forced 29 Elmira turnovers. The Soaring Eagles went 2-for-5 with the man advantage, while the Saxons went 0-for-1.
 
It was a personal-best performance for Mosher, who tallied career-bests in both goals (seven) and points (nine). He caused three turnovers and added two ground balls. Sophomore attack Drew Cartwright (Elmira, NY/Elmira) added three goals and three assists for six points. Junior attack Connor DiDomineck (Bath, NY/Haverling) added four points, via three goals and one assist. Sophomore attack Trevor Gilliard (Greece, NY/Odyssey Academy) and junior midfielder Jonathan Kay (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder) each notched a hat-trick with three goals apiece. First year midfielder Josh Hauman (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder) tallied three points via two goals and one assist, while sophomore midfielders Dawson Felenchak (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) and Sean Laukaitis (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) each tallied a goal and assist. Sophomore midfielder Alex Nazarczyk (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) completed the scoring with a goal. Junior attack Noah Soriano (Valley Cottage, NY/Nyack) tied for the team lead with three assists.
 
Graduate midfielder Garrette Briggs (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) was near perfect at the face-off 'x', winning 27-of-28 draws, adding a team-best 12 ground balls and an assist. Junior goalie Scott Kimiecik (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) earned the win in net, making three saves in the first half. First year goalie Andy Davis (Baldwinsville, NY/Baker) made his collegiate debut, making two second-half saves.28
Matt Daley and Sam Crary each tallied a pair of goals to lead the way for Elmira. Jacob Mattice was busy in net, tallying 22 saves in a losing effort.

"We are all happy to be out here competing during this pandemic, said head coach Jason Lockner. "We have all really learned to adapt and make adjustments with a moments notice.  As we like to say on our team, 'Ride the wave'. The team played hard and picked up the ground balls which is what we asked them to do with only two weeks of practice under our belt. We had a lot to work to do in a little bit of time. I thought we did a great job clearing the ball today which starts with the goalies."
 
The Saxons, eager returned to action for the first time in 364 days, started fast and kept the pressure throughout. Three unassisted goals by Mosher, Nazarczyk, and Gilliard got the ball rolling in the first four minutes, and the Saxons staked out a 7-0 lead after the first quarter. AU began the second with two more goals, before Elmira responded with two of their own as they trailed, 9-2. The Saxons broke the brief EC run with another scoring barrage, scoring 11 of the next 12 goals between the second and third periods, taking a commanding 20-3 lead. Elmira tallied two sandwiched around Cartwright's second goal, and AU took a 23-5 lead into the final stanza.
 
Mosher kept the pressure on in the fourth, tallying all three fourth-quarter goals for the Saxons to reach his career-high.

"Justin Mosher had a day today!" Lockner said. "I was very impressed with his play all around. He really stepped up and lead our offense and rode hard."

The Saxons will begin Empire 8 action this upcoming Wednesday, hosting Sage in a St. Patrick's Day clash, at 4:30 p.m. from Yunevich Stadium.