ALFRED, NY - The Alfred University women's lacrosse team put up a competitive effort but came up short in an 18-11 loss to Russell Sage College on Saturday afternoon from Yunevich Stadium.
 
The Saxons (1-8, 1-2 Empire 8) defended 30 shots on goal, while forcing the Gators (4-5, 1-2 Empire 8) to 19 turnovers.
 
Alfred University was led by the efforts of Amelia Booth (Staatsburg, NY/FDR), who finished the game with seven points from six goals and one assist. Brenna Turner (Bentonville, AR/Bentonville) scored twice while adding two assists. Hailey Stroh (Houghton, NY/Homeschool) added two goals for AU.
 
"We had a pretty good first half and came out with great energy to start the game," Head Coach Julie Decker said. "Then we had a lapse where we lost our relentless drive, that next level type of effort, which allowed Russell Sage to kind of take over the game. Although we had had a decent fourth quarter, we lost a huge chunk of time where we didn't have enough time to make a total comeback."
 
The Saxons came out of the gates strong in the first quarter, with a pass from Turner to Abigail Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) reaching the back of the net for the early lead. A goal from Stroh moments later extended AU's lead. Booth scored once for Alfred University in the opening quarter, but the Gators responded with four goals of their own to take a 4-3 lead going into the second quarter.
 
Booth scored twice for the Saxons in the opening minutes of the second quarter to take back the lead. Russell Sage answered with two goals of their own before Turner found the back of the net to equalize the score. The Gators scored three times before taking a 9-6 lead going into the break. Booth was the lone Saxon to score in the third quarter, as the Gators extended their lead to a 17-7 advantage with one quarter remaining. Booth, Stroh and Turner all found the back of the net in the fourth quarter to spark the offense, but the Gators managed to run out the clock and secure the win.
 
"Fisher will be another opportunity to get better, work on our resiliency, and put together fourth quarters of relentless AU lacrosse," Decker said.
 
Alfred University will next travel to face St. John Fisher University on Wednesday at 4:00 PM.