ALFRED, NY -- The Alfred University men's soccer team entered a new era to start the 2025 season. Under new leadership and playing cross-street neighbors Alfred State for the first time, they wound up on the losing side in a 2-1 final.

"It was a very hard fought game. I'm very proud of our effort," Head Coach Garrett Eldridge said. "We had a lot of the ball and the majority of the chances but ultimately Alfred State took their chances and we didn't. We will regroup and go again against Penn State Altoona.

Tempo was up early on, as the Saxons came out on the front foot with an early corner. They had four the entire night, while shutting out the Pioneers, having no corner kicks. The ensuing shot by Jaime Mendo Robles (Zarazoga, Spain/Hoosac) missed wide left. AU led the night in shots, 14-7.

Alfred State got on the board thanks to a spot kick from 12 yards away in the 24th minute. While Tyler Mulholland (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) couldn't do anything with the effort, he was brilliant all night. He managed four saves and commanded his 18-yard box.

When A-State added on a second in the 65th minute, the Saxons didn't quit. Just three minutes later, Dennis Hayes V (Ferndale, MI/Berkley) earned a penalty kick for AU and sent a Pioneers defender off with a second yellow card. Captain Xavier Bowman (Hampstead, MD/Manchester Valley) capitalized and made it a one-goal game.

With Alfred State playing down a man the final 20 minutes, AU pushed forward. Hamza Kromah (Margibi, Liberia/Western Reserve Academy) finessed his way to opportunities in the midfield. AJ Giaquinto (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) led from the back line and got several looks on net with his head. Ian Ashworth (Hornell, NY/Hornell) also got some looks, including one which forced a save off the line off a corner kick.

While the Saxons didn't get the opportunity to start the season in the win column, they'll get a quick chance to right the ship. They'll open their home campaign at Yunevich Stadium Saturday afternoon against the aforementioned Penn State Altoona at 4 p.m.