ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's lacrosse team dominated the second half to come out with a 14-5 victory over Utica University on Saturday.

Before the game, the Saxons honored graduating seniors John Hall (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North), Kevin Matson (Chenango Bridge, NY/Chenango Forks), Max Freeman IV (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post), Colton Keane (LaFayette, NY/LaFayette), Quinn Sullivan (Elmira, NY/Elmira), Peter Colburn (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford), Alex Pace (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), Kelsey King (Apalacin, NY/Owego Free Academy), Shane Cubala (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley), James Connelly (Churchville, NY/Churchville-Chili) and Christian Moon (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa).

Matson had a big performance on Senior Day as he registered the 200^th point of his career. The graduate student led the Saxons with a season-high eight points on a season-high six goals and two assists. Drew Smith (Walworth, NY/Ruben A. Cirillo) matched his career-high two goals while notching a career-high two assists. Cole Loewke (Hilton, NY/Hilton) also posted two goals along with two ground balls and a caused turnover. Keagan Hoesterey (Palmyra, NY/Palmyra-Macedon), Brendan Riley (Fairport, NY/Fairport), Nick Volpe (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) and Keane each scored one goal. Hoesterey led the Saxons with a game-high three assists.

Hunter Cupp (Bath, NY/Haverling) won 11 faceoffs and picked up seven ground balls. Sullivan was a force in the net as he posted double figures in saves for the ninth time in his career with 11 stops. He also registered a career-high six ground balls.

"Kevin Matson stepped up today on Senior Day," Head Coach Jason Lockner said. "Great to see Drew Smith step in and play well. I thought our defense stepped up in the second half and shut them down. Benjamin Cunningham, Josh Funk, Alex Pace and Quinn Sullivan did a great job with our long stick midfielders of Shane Cubala and Ian Marsh along with a handful of midfielders. The guys were focused as we are working to get into playoffs. It's always been the goal."

Matson and Loewke got Alfred University (5-7, 3-4 Empire 8) going with the first two goals of the contest. Hoesterey notched a goal with 23 seconds left in the first period to give the Saxons the 3-0 advantage. The Alfred University defense held Utica University (6-7, 3-3 Empire 8) in the first 15 minutes. Four shots in between the pipes made by the Pioneers turned into four saves for Sullivan.

Utica University came back in the second period on a 5-0 run to get in front 5-3 at 2:18. Matson stopped the Pioneer run with his second goal of the game at the 20-second mark.

Down 5-4 at halftime, the Saxons came out on fire in the second half. Alfred University outscored Utica University, 10-0, to come out on top and win the game. Four of those goals were scored by Matson.

The Saxons had a 41-40 narrow lead in shots but outshot the Pioneers, 24-17, in between the pipes. Alfred University also picked up 39 ground balls as a team.

The Saxons host their final home game of the season against SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday, April 23 at 5:00 PM.