GENESEO, NY – The Alfred University men's lacrosse team ended the 2025 season with a 16-7 loss to No. 3 SUNY Geneseo in the first round of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

Leading the way was Keagan Hoesterey (Palmyra, NY/Palmyra-Macedon) who notched his second career hat trick after matching his season-high three goals. Four other Saxons also contributed to the scoring column with one goal apiece. In addition to scoring his second goal of the season, Hunter Cupp (Bath, NY/Haverling) won 16 faceoffs and picked up a game-high eight ground balls. Quinn Sullivan (Elmira, NY/Elmira) grabbed eight saves in net while notching three ground balls.

"The guys came to play this time around," Head Coach Jason Lockner said. "So proud of their efforts. Hunter Cupp killed it on the faceoffs along with the defensive efforts by Ian Marsh, Shane Cubala and Brody Wolfe.

The Saxons (6-9, 4-5 Empire 8) hung in with the Knights (11-6, 7-2 Empire 8) in a low-scoring first half. Hoesterey and Brendan O'Riley (Fairport, NY/Fairport) combined for Alfred University's three goals. The Saxons trailed 5-3 at the break.

Cupp opened the scoring in the second half by picking up the ground ball on the faceoff and flipping the ball into the net to bring Alfred University within one, 5-4. SUNY Geneseo went on a 6-0 run the rest of the third period to extend their lead to 11-4.

Marcus Darminio (Marcellus, NY/Marcellus) and Hoesterey registered back-to-back goals at the beginning of the fourth period to get the Saxons within four, 11-6. Unfortunately, that was as far as Alfred University would get as SUNY Geneseo went on a 5-1 run to put the game out of reach.

The Saxons were outshot by the Knights, 44-23, with 24-17 in between the pipes. Alfred University picked up 36 ground balls while its faceoff team combined for 19 faceoff wins.