ALFRED, NY - A strong defensive effort from the Alfred University men's soccer team led to a 1-0 win over Russell Sage College on Saturday from Yunevich Stadium. 
 
The Saxons (2-5-2, 1-1-0 Empire 8) finished with 22 shots, 11 of which were on goal. Alfred also drew three corner kick opportunities. 
 
Defender Mason Sanborn (Wappingers Falls, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) finished with one goal. Goalkeepers Daniel Koenig (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) and Steven Morrow (Dryden, NY/Dryden) combined for 12 saves. 
 
"We played today with the passion, commitment, and desire needed to compete in the Empire 8," Head Coach Tracy Blake said. "Now the team really knows the work needed to be successful."

The Saxons defense stepped up in the opening half, rejecting Sage's first three corner kicks across the first six minutes of action. A corner kick from midfielder Andrew Carrillo Macias (Reno, NV/North Valley) to Sanborn found the back of the net to give AU the 1-0 lead before halftime. 
 
The Saxons retained their lead in the early moments of the second half after a penalty kick at the 50:15 mark for the Gators went off the post. AU successfully defended Sage's last nine shots to hang on for the win. 

"Our focus this upcoming week will be on collective teamwork and ball manipulation," Blake said.
 
Alfred University will travel to play Hartwick College next Saturday at 2:00 PM.