ALFRED, NY -- The Alfred University men's soccer team hosted its senior day on Saturday, ending the 90 minutes with a solid 2-0 win over Hartwick.
AU (6-2-2, 4-1-2 Empire 8) would have four of the first five shots of the game, as they put the Hawks (3-9-0, 2-5-0 Empire 8) behind the eight-ball. Their persistence would pay off, as a long ball from
Derek Alexei Rodriguez (Panama Oeste, Panama/Colegio San Gabriel de la Dolorosa) would put
Xavier Bowman (Hampstead, MD/Manchester Valley) in to slot it home.
The Saxons continued firing on all cylinders in the first half, with three consecutive shots and saves forced by Hartwick, which were unlucky to find the back of the net. AU ended with eight first half shots, five of them on frame.
As the visiting Hawks searched for an equalizer, it would the home team finding a way to put the game to bed.
Hamza Kromah (Margibi, Liberia/Western Reserve Academy) would draw a foul in the Hartwick box, leading to a penalty kick conversion by
Lawrence John Taylor (Bong County, Liberia/Westminster School) in the 77th minute to put the game out of reach.
The Hawks still tried to challenge
Tyler Mulholland (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township), but could not beat him once. Mulholland ended the game with three saves in his third shutout of the season, and had some help with a defensive save from Kromah earlier on in the second half.
Mulholland was one of seven seniors celebrated in the senior day ceremonies. Bowman was also honored, alongside
Jesus De La Torre (Malaga, Spain/The Woodstock Academy),
Peter Kim-Rivera (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder),
Juanjo Menendez Gutierrez (Villanueva Cañada, Madrid, Spain/Woodstock Academy),
Landon Berry (Penn Yan, NY/Penn Yan Academy), and
Daniel González Sevilla (Getafe, Madrid, Spain/Linsly School).
After finishing a three-game home stand a comfortable 2-0-1, the Saxons will look to take their winning streak on the road facing SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
-- Swords Forward Saxons --
