UTICA, NY – A persistent effort on the offensive end for the Alfred University men's lacrosse team resulted in a 15-7 victory over Utica University on Saturday afternoon from Gaetano Stadium.

The Saxons (9-4, 3-2 Empire 8) totaled 32 shots on goal while forcing the Pioneers (6-7, 2-2 Empire 8) to 23 turnovers.

Paul Forte (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena) finished with three goals to go with two assists. Kevin Matson (Chenango Bridge, NY/Chenango Forks) totaled three goals along with three assists. Josh Hauman (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) recorded three goals across four shots. Scott Kimiecik (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) matched his season-high with 17 saves in goal for AU.

"We did a nice job stepping around slides and hitting some shots," Head Coach Jason Lockner said. "We had a lot of different guys score. which is important this time of the year."

The Saxons set the tone early in the first quarter, as Hauman scored twice within the first seven minutes of action. The defensive efforts of Alfred kept Utica scoreless in the first quarter, as they carried a 2-0 lead entering the second quarter. An assist from Matson to Jason Berardicurti (Rochester, NY/Penfield) opened scoring for AU in the second quarter. Two goals from the Pioneers were answered quickly by goals from Hauman and Connor DiDomineck (Bath, NY/Haverling). After an additional goal from Utica, the Saxons relied on back-to-back goals from Forte within a one-minute span. The Pioneers scored once more in the closing seconds of the first half, but AU still held a 7-4 lead at the break.

Alfred University continued to apply pressure on the offensive end in the second half, as goals from Forte, Matson, Dawson Felenchak (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads), Adrian Romero (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia), and Noah Soriano (Valley Cottage, NY/Nyack) resulted in seven goals for the Saxons. The Pioneers scored three times in the fourth quarter, but a man-up goal from Matson sealed the win for AU.

"We need to keep working hard and complete the regular season with a win," Lockner said. "Shane Cubala and Joseph Visconte Jr. did a great job picking up ground balls on the face-offs and we need to keep that up."

Alfred University will next conclude their regular season when they host Keuka College next Saturday at 1:00 PM.