ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's lacrosse team opened their 2023 season with an 11-7 win over SUNY Brockport on Saturday afternoon from Yunevich Stadium.
 
The Saxons (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) put across 49 shots in their win while forcing the Golden Eagles (0-1, 0-0 SUNYAC) to 14 turnovers.
 
Drew Cartwright (Elmira, NY/Elmira) led Alfred University with four goals and one assist across a career-high 10 shots. Brendan Riley (Fairport, NY/Fairport) enjoyed his collegiate debut with two goals and an assist. Scott Kimiecik (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) recorded 10 saves in goal for AU.
 
"I'm happy for the guys for the win today," Head Coach Jason Lockner said. "We need to clean up the turnovers moving forward."
 
Riley opened scoring for Alfred University in the first quarter for the early lead. Moments later, Riley scored again for the Saxons before the team entered the second quarter with a 2-0 lead. An assist from Dawson Felenchak (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) to Paul Forte (Greece, NY/Greece Athena) extended the lead for Alfred University. Less than two minutes later, Cartwright found the back of the net for the Saxons. The Golden Eagles scored twice before the end of the half, but the Saxons still led 4-2 going into the break.
 
Three additional goals in the third quarter from Brockport had Alfred University trailing for the first time in the game. Cartwright responded with his second goal of the game to equalize the score. In the closing seconds of the quarter, Max Freeman IV (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post) scored his first collegiate goal, as the Saxons had a 6-5 lead entering the fourth quarter.
 
Josh Hauman (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) was the first to score for AU in the fourth quarter. The Golden Eagles answered with two goals of their own to tie the game with just over six minutes to play. Two goals from Carwright along with goals from Connor DiDomineck (Bath, NY/Haverling) and Justin Mosher (Hilton, NY/Hilton) were enough for the Saxons to pull away with the lead and secure the season-opening win.

"We need to come ready to work on Monday," Lockner said. "We played a little hurried today and we just need to shake off the first game jitters and be ready for a big week!"
 
Alfred University will next host Westminster College on Wednesday with the first quarter set to begin at 7:00 PM.