ALFRED, NY - The Alfred University men's soccer team grabbed their first Empire 8 win of the fall season following a 3-1 victory over Houghton University on Saturday afternoon from Yunevich Stadium. 

The Saxons (4-3-3, 1-1-1 Empire 8) secured their first win over the Highlanders (3-6-1, 1-2 Empire 8) dating back to the 2019 season. 

Xavier Bowman (Hampstead, MD/Manchester Valley) and Rodrigo Perez (Pelencia, Spain/IES Victorio Macho) each recorded their first goals of the fall season. Gavin Culley (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) scored once from 3 shots. Matthew Osmundson (Draper, UT/Juan Diego Catholic) picked up 9 saves for AU. 

"This was a huge Empire 8 win today," Head Coach Tracy Blake said. "The team went ahead of with a set of ball movement that we had been working on. A great cross from Noam to Xavier, which will be the first of many goals for him with the Saxons. Houghton played very well, and we relied on some great saves by Matthew to keep us in the game."

The Saxons wasted very little time getting on the scoreboard, as an assist from Noam Sokolovsky (East Lyme/CT/East Lyme) to Bowman gave Alfred University an early lead. The defense for the Saxons played well, as they rejected 8 shots from the Highlanders across the first 20 minutes of action. Alfred University attempted 7 more shots before going into the break with a 1-0 advantage. 

Both defenses played well to begin the second half, but a successful penalty kick from Houghton in the second half equalized the score. The Saxons took back the lead moments later thanks to a goal from Culley. Alfred University extended their lead and secured the win from a penalty kick from Perez.

Alfred University will next travel to face St. John Fisher University on Wednesday at 4:00 PM.