CINCINNATI, OH- The Alfred University football team came up short in their matchup against Mount St. Joseph University, losing 33-14 on Saturday from Schueler Field and Sports Complex.

The Saxons fall to an 0-2, 0-0 Empire 8 record, while the Lions improve to a 1-1 standing.

Senior running back Alezandro Aponte (Ronkonkoma, NY/Sachem North) finished with a team-high 12 rush attempts for 44 yards. Sophomore linebacker Joe Copp (Minoa, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) filled up the stat sheet on defense, totaling 1.5 sacks along with a forced fumble, interception and nine tackles.

"We are only two games into the season, but we recognize we haven't played our best football to this point," Head Coach Bob Rankl said. "It's frustrating, but we just have to go out and work harder than we did last week to achieve better results. I have confidence in this team and the coaching staff to get that done."

The special teams highlighted the Saxons in the opening quarter, as sophomore linebacker Wyatt Kiff (Sidney, NY/Sidney Central) recovered a muffed punt from the Lions. Mount St. Joseph piled on 13 points before an interception from Copp closed out the first half.

Mount St. Joseph continued to pressure Alfred University in the second half, finding 14 points in the third quarter. The Saxons switched to junior Connor Englert (Dansville, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) at quarterback in the second half, who guided an 11-play drive in the fourth quarter that ended with a six-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back Hakim Chambers (Middletown, NY/Middletown) for the Saxons first touchdown of the season. A fumble recovery from Copp in the late stages of the final quarter allowed Englert to find first-year wide receiver Darviae Gray (Buffalo, NY/Amherst Central) for an 18-yard touchdown reception. Despite late rhythm from the Saxons, time ran out on a potential comeback.

"We just need to start clicking together on both sides of the ball," Rankl said. "We just have to keep grinding and find a way to win."

The Saxons will return home to host Ithaca College on Saturday with kickoff at 1pm.