ALFRED, NY – With a growing roster and high hopes for the spring season, the Alfred University women's lacrosse team is quickly approaching the beginning of their 2025 campaign. The Saxons will welcome back 10 returners to their roster, along with a mix of newcomers.

Alfred University will be led by Head Coach Julie Decker, who is entering her third season with the program.

"I feel like we made a big jump in our confidence and belief in ourselves last season," Decker said. "It started with the first game and showing we can be a competitive team. We kept building off that throughout the season."

Alfred University finished last season with a 5-10 overall record, marking their most wins in a single year dating back to the 2013 season. The Saxons finished 28th in the nation with a .487 save percentage and was 33rd in the nation with 12.73 caused turnovers per game. The 191 total caused turnovers for AU was the most in a single season for the program since 2000.

"We will look different to what we had last season," Decker said. "Roughly half of our team will be new to the program. The newcomers are providing a new energy and intensity. We are continuing to grow, and it's been a fresh outlook on what we can be and achieve as a team."

Amelia Booth (Staatsburg, NY/FDR) is entering her fourth straight season as a team captain for Alfred University. Last spring, Booth was named as an All-Empire 8 Second Team honoree. She is currently fifth in program history with 144 career goals and owns the program record in both career draw controls (298) and shots (311).

"Amelia leaves no doubt that she is a talented lacrosse player," Decker said. "She brings strong ability and high skill level to the field. In the last few years, she has grown in her leadership and being more vocal. We are looking forward to enjoying her senior season together as she will leave behind a great legacy here at AU." 

Morgan Wise (Kittanning, PA/Armstrong) is entering her second consecutive season as a team captain for the Saxons this spring. Wise finished second on the team with 29 points from 22 goals and seven assists last season. She additionally picked up 26 ground balls and registered 21 caused turnovers.

"Morgan has proven to be a hard worker at practice and brings a positive energy to the team," Decker said. "We're excited to have her back as a leader for our program."

Nora Vick (Whiteboro, NY/Whiteboro) is entering her senior season with Alfred University, being named as a team captain. Last season, Vick tallied 15 caused turnovers while picking up 18 ground balls. She scored in a win against Morrisville, while dishing a pair of assists in a shutout victory against Hilbert.

"Since Nora decided to try lacrosse a few years ago, she has approached lacrosse with a positive attitude, being fearless, and coachable," Decker said. "She is a natural leader that others look up to when it comes to effort level, commitment outside of practice, and not being afraid to make mistakes. She goes hard, is vocal, and is not afraid to ask questions or hold people accountable to the standards of our program."

Cassidy Primrose (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) rounds out the captains for AU this spring following a successful first-year season. Primrose was named to the All-Empire 8 Third Team after finishing last season with 33 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers, and 14 draw controls. Primrose additionally scored twice while recording two assists for the Saxons.
"Cassidy is a strong leader by example and has a high lacrosse IQ," Decker said. "She balances out our leadership group. Although we believe that anyone can be a leader, I believe she will find more comfortability and confidence being vocal now that she has been named into a formal leadership role. She has developed the ability to create strong relationships throughout the team, is level-headed, down-to-Earth, and approachable."

The Saxons will rely on Molly Howlett (Brockport, NY/Brockport) as their starting goalie for the spring season. Howlett is entering her sophomore season with Alfred University, and her first as the primary goalie.

"Alyssa obviously left some really big shoes to fill as last year's E8 goalie of the year," Decker said. "Since we started practice in January, Molly has stopped trying to fill those shoes and grow into her own. Every goalie has different styles of play, and Molly's style is athletic, active, and aggressive. Now that she is owning her identity as a goalie, she is truly starting to thrive, and we have a lot of faith in her as our goalie."

Alfred University will begin their 2025 season at home against Allegheny College this Saturday. The Saxons will compete in a pair of road games in Southern California as part of their Spring Break trip in March. AU will later open Empire 8 competition at home against Russell Sage College on March 22. The Empire 8 Championship Tournament is slated to begin on April 29.

"Going into my third season here at AU, we continue to have high standards and have lofty goals," Decker said. "We want to compete in the Conference Tournament. We want to climb the ladder and put ourselves in a position to compete for a Conference Championship. We look to finish in the top six in order to make the post-season and give ourselves a chance."