ALFRED, NY -- The Alfred University men's soccer team got a much-needed confidence boost in their last non-conference match of the 2025 season. They came out on top in a 3-1 win over Marywood University, which went right down to the wire.

"I am super pleased with our group effort tonight," Head Coach Garret Eldridge said. "We stuck to the game plan and executed well in key moments."

Three Saxon shots hurried the Pacers defensive line. It also included two early corner kicks which weren't converted. But they did break through, starting with Dennis Hayes V (Ferndale, MI/Berkley) forcing a save from the goalkeeper. The rebound was followed in and finished by Niko Lampros (Lake Oswego, OR/Lakeridge) for his second score of the season.

AU had a scare early in the second half with back-to-back corners for Marywood. But thanks to the head of Jaime Mendo Robles (Zaragoza, Spain/Hoosac), he managed to clear the ensuing header off the line and over the bar. 

While the Pacers equalized in the 60th minute, the score did not stay even for long. Xavier Bowman (Hampstead, MD/Manchester Valley) forced a save out of position for the netminder, allowing Griff Schillmoeller (Waverly, NY/Waverly) to tuck it in. His first career collegiate goal was one to remember, and ended up being the game-winner in the 62nd minute.

Lampros finished with two shots while Hamza Kromah (Margibi, Liberia/Western Reserve Academy) had three shots, two of them on goal. Bowman led the way with four shots and three on net. He put the finishing touch on the game in the dying seconds, scoring with the goalkeeper up for a last-minute corner for Marywood. He managed to beat them all and pass it into an open net.

However, none of it would've happened if it weren't for the heroics of Tyler Mulholland (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township). When the Pacers were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute, he made a brilliant save diving to his right and getting rid of the danger. He ended the night with two saves.

Alfred University (2-3-0, 0-0-0 Empire 8) now turns its attention to conference play, opening up against Keuka College on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m.