ROCHESTER, NY – The Alfred University Men's Soccer team upset #3 Nazareth University by a score of 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. 

The Saxons were led by Juan Jose Menendez Gutierrez (Villanueva Cañada, Madrid, Spain/Woodstock Academy) and Christian Moon (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) who both netted a goal in the game. Xavier Bowman (Hampstead, MD/Manchester Valley) added an assist for AU. Goalkeeper Matthew Osmundson (Draper, UT/Juan Diego Catholic) recorded six saves for Alfred.

"Great playoff win today at Naz." Head Coach Tracy Blake said. "The boys played a great tactical game, and executed what we worked on to be successful."

Alfred came into the game with an underdog mentality and was fired up to play. The Saxons and Golden Flyers traded shots early on, but no one was able to find the back of the net. After a tense first half, the teams went into the break tied 0-0. Minutes after the start of the second half, a Moon shot nearly put the Saxons up 1-0 but it was saved off the line by the Nazareth goalkeeper. Alfred did find the first goal of the game shortly after though, as Juan Jose Menendez Gutierrez was able to give AU a 1-0 lead. The Golden Flyers didn't quit though and fired back quickly with a goal of their own just two minutes later. In the end, the difference was a brilliant individual effort by Moon who slotted the ball into the top right corner to give Alfred the 2-1 lead with under 10 minutes left to play. The Saxon defense held strong the rest of the way and delivered Head Coach Tracy Blake his first career win over the Golden Flyers. It was also the Alfred University Men's Soccer programs first playoff win in 4 years. 

"St. John Fisher in the semi final will be another tough game however we will be ready for it." Blake said.

Alfred University will next play in the semi-final of the Empire 8 tournament against St. John Fisher University on Wednesday, November 1st.