HAMILTON, NY – The Alfred University women's rugby team kicked off the fall season at the Upstate New York Collegiate Rugby Conference Jamboree at Colgate University on Sunday.

The Saxons (2-1, 0-0 UNYCRC) earned their first victory of the season against SUNY Cortland by a comeback score of 10-7. AU later lost to Colgate, 31-0, but closed out with a 31-5 upset win over No. 9 SUNY Geneseo.

"What an amazing start to the season," Head Coach Dr. Nicole Bernsen said. "We were excited for this weekend for an opportunity to play some of the strongest teams in our conference. We met the challenge with great attitudes and work ethic. We're incredibly proud of the performances we put in during our wins today. In particular, our ability to bounce back from a tough loss midday. Our success is a testament to the hard work everyone has been putting in since August."

SUNY Cortland scored the first try and conversion to take a 7-0 lead. Aurora Berry (Perry, NY/Perry) registered the first try of the season for AU to make it a two-point game. In the second half, as the contest was winding down, Jordayn Williams (Palmdale, CA/Quartz Hill) scored the winning try to help the Saxons come out on top.

"I'm really happy with how we came out and started our season and I'm very happy with how everyone played," Berry said. "We went in knowing it was going to be tough. But we worked together in the end to get it done."

AU dominated in the third game, holding SUNY Geneseo to just one try. Four newcomers for the Saxons contributed to the scoring column. Eleanor Prestridge (Bethel, VT/White River Valley) tallied three tries, with two of them in the first half. Leah Collins (Hampton, NH/Exeter) and Ava Webber (Cobleskill, NY/Mechanical Engineering/Mathematics) each had one try apiece. Meanwhile, Alyssa Ainsworth (Vestal/NY/Corning-Painted Post) added four points to the scoreboard on two conversion kicks.

​"We played really good today," Webber said. "I loved seeing the grit. Even when things got hard, we kept pushing. I am excited to see where we go as a team."

"This weekend was a really great opportunity for our team to get more experience and test our resolve," Cori Recktenwald (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) said. "The tournament was a huge success and I'm proud to see our new players excelling the way they have."

AU travels to Fredonia for its first UNYCRC contest of the season on Sunday, Sept. 21. Time is yet to be determined.