ALFRED, NY -- The Alfred University men's rugby team completed its three match home stand with a resounding 38-7 victory over SUNY Brockport on Friday night.

"It was a good performance by the team. Tonight was another huge defensive performance," Head Coach Dale Russell said. "Brockport is a strong team and the victory tonight shows the program is continuing to build. I want to thank all the fans who stuck it out in the wet and windy conditions."

AU and Brockport battled early on, with the Saxons able to pounce first off the back of Chevon Adriaans (Paramaribo, Suriname/SGS) scoring a try. The two finalists from last year's LERC XVs Championship match continued at even strength, but not before Alfred University got another try with Phillip Peterson III (Auburn, NY/Auburn) able to get around his man in the corner of the try zone, eventually leading to a penalty try given to AU.

The Saxons ramped it up in the second half behind four tries, with the opening two from Ayomideji Israel-Akinbo (Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa/St. Andrews College) breaking through the Brockport lines. AU continued its offensive barrage with another try from Adriaans, before Sekou Camara (Conakry, Guinea) wrapped up the scoring with a nice move to get into the try zone. James Lowe (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates/BISAD) would add on three conversions as well.

Brockport would get on the board late, but several great defensive stands gave the home fans a decisive win in the end. The nationally-ranked Saxons beat Brockport for the first time in its history after losing both matches last season to them, their only two losses in the XVs season. 

Before the match started, the Saxons were able to celebrate their four graduating seniors. Joining the previously mentioned Israel-Akinbo for the ceremony was Joseph Bodley (Le Roy, NY/Caledonia-Mumford), Tinashe Mberesi (Beitbridge, Zimbabwe/Mwenezi Gvt), and Nathan Towne (Ellenville, NY/Ellenville Jr/Sr).

AU will finish the regular season for XVs on the road for two straight matches, first facing off at the University of Rochester at 7:00 p.m. on October 23.