ERIE, PA – The Alfred University men's soccer team began their fall season with a 1-1 draw against Penn State Behrend on Friday evening at the Herb Lauffer Memorial Tournament.

Due to the tournament format, the two teams went to penalty kicks after full time, in which the Saxons fell to the Lions by a score of 4-2.

Alfred found the back of the net through a beautiful 1-2 combination between two first years in their first ever collegiate games. Gavin Culley (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) put the finishing touch on the goal after a great pass from Zach Maryanski (Sykesville, MD/Century). In the net, goalkeeper Tyler Mulholland (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) recorded two saves. 

"We had a great showing today for the first game of the season with a 1-1 draw against PSB." Head Coach Tracy Blake said. 

Alfred University was in a deadlock with Penn State Behrend going into the half tied 0-0. The Saxon defensive effort to keep the Lions off the board was led by transfer Jaime Mendo Robles (Zaragoza, Spain Hoosac). Alfred came out firing in the second half recording eight shots after not recording one in the first. Behrend was first onto the scoreboard in the 53rd minute of play. The Lions goal was quickly responded to by the Saxons with them knotting the score in the very next minute of the game. The Saxons controlled the midfield in the second half with outstanding performances from Rodrigo Perez (Pelencia, Spain/IES Victorio Macho), Sai Baraka (Rochester, NY/Bishop Kearney), and William Moore (Stormville, NY/John Jay).

"I thought the lads competed very well against a good team, we are looking forward to the challenge tomorrow against Baldwin Wallace University." Blake said. 

Alfred University will next play Baldwin Wallace University in the consolation game of the Herb Lauffer Memorial Tournament at 5 PM on Saturday, September 2nd.