UTICA, NY – The Alfred University men's soccer team began Empire 8 competition with a 3-0 loss to Utica University on Saturday afternoon from the Pioneer Turf and Track and Field Complex.
 
Noam Sokolovsky (East Lyme, CT/East Lyme) finished with a team-high five shots, one of which was on goal. Ian Landsittel (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) put across two shots on goal. Jon Nadolne (Port Washington, NY/Albertson ECNL) picked up a career-high 11 saves for the Saxons.
 
"We can't start any game the way we started today," Head Coach Tracy Blake said. "We need to learn from so many things from this game. Our university and the alumni deserve better, so we should give it to them."
 
Each side traded shots on goal in the opening moments of the first half, but Utica (4-1, 1-0 Empire 8) found the back of the net in the 9th minute to take the early 1-0 advantage over AU (2-4-1, 0-1 Empire 8). The Pioneers scored once more before entering halftime with a 2-0 lead over the Saxons. Shortly after hitting the crossbar in the second half, Utica extended their lead with a goal in the 51st minute. The Saxons put across seven shots in the final half but couldn't get on the scoreboard before the final horn.
 
Alfred University will next return home to host St. John Fisher University next Saturday with the first half scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM.