ALFRED, NY -- After starting the first four games of the season on the road, the Alfred University men's lacrosse team opened its home campaign with a big win over the Mount Union Raiders 18-10.

"We played good team lacrosse today. We needed that win today and got back on the winning track. The guys played hard and smart for four quarters. Can't ask for much more than that," Head Coach Jason Lockner said. "Cole Loewke (Hilton, NY/Hilton) and Brendan Riley (Fairport, NY/Fairport) led the way on offense today with Sam Crosby (Auburn, NY/Auburn) and others creating offense. Christian Moon (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) played great at short stick midfield on face-offs and in between the lines. Our defense put it all together out there with Ben Cunningham (Dover, MD/The Gunston School) playing his usual great defense. Nicholas Kramer (Fredericksburg, VA/St. John Paul the Great) and his physical presence makes a difference"

Alfred fell behind with 12:28 to go but Loewke scored the first of his five goals of the afternoon just two minutes later. Michael Gruin (Hamburg, NY/Orchard Park) and Sam Crosby (Auburn, NY/Auburn) wrapped up the scoring in the first quarter to even it up at three.

The Saxons proceeded to dominate the second frame with five straight goals without allowing one to the Raiders. Loewke, Gruin, and Crosby all scored with Riley and Sam Herle (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) also finding the twine.

Riley and Loewke both finished with five goals to lead the scoring. Riley added on three assists while Loewke tallied four of his own. Gruin recorded an assist alongside his two goals while Crosby wrapped up with two tallies and led the Saxons with 10 shots.

Herle added an assist to his goal. Other scorers included Colin Kinsley (Walden, NY/Valley Central) with the lone man-up goal for AU and Marcus Darminio (Marcellus, NY/Marcellus) with a four-point day with two goals and assists.

Defensively, AU was superb alongside Cunningham and Kramer. Behind them, Max Sigmund (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) earned the win with six saves and Alex Petrangelo (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) also saw time in the closing minutes.

The great play all got started with tons of success in the face-off circle. Hunter Cupp (Bath, NY/Haverling) led the way going 21-for-23 with 11 ground balls on face-offs. Rhett Krieger (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) went 4-for-6 with Jacob Smith (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) also winning his third career face-off late on.

AU's team game kept them in control from the second quarter onward. They out shot Mount Union 46-27 and doubled them up in shots on goal 32-16. The Saxons were also a perfect 16-for-16 on clearing attempts.

Alfred University will look to continue its home cooking with the second of four straight home games against SUNY Canton on Wednesday night at 5 PM.