ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's lacrosse team picked up its first win of the season against Alfred State College, 9-6, in the Alfred Cup on Thursday.

The victory also marked the first for Interim Head Coach Erin Schurr.
 
The Saxons (1-2, 0-0 Empire 8) opened with a 3-0 advantage in the first period. Both teams were tied at 2-all during the second. AU built on its lead with four goals in the third period. The Pioneers (5-2, 0-0 AMCC) tried to make a comeback with four goals in the fourth. A huge defensive effort by the Saxons helped them hang on.
 
Megan Rinker (Le Roy, NY/Le Roy) led the way with four goals. She also had three caused turnovers and three ground balls. Kylee Bedette (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo) finished with two goals and two assists for four points. Sydney Angelo (Windsor, NY/Windsor Central) had an impressive defensive performance. She finished with a team-high seven ground balls and six caused turnovers. Cassidy Primrose (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) was second on defense behind Angelo. She posted five ground balls, four caused turnovers and three draw controls.
 
AU took a 4-0 lead that stretched into the early stages of the second period before A-State responded with back-to-back points. Rinker was on fire in the first half as she tallied three of her four goals. The senior flipped the ball in the net off the assist from Jordan Genant (Johns Creek, GA/Centennial) at the nine-second mark to bring the Saxons up by four going into the half, 5-2.
 
Four different Saxons scored in the third period to build on their advantage by seven in the third, 9-2. The Pioneers came back with four goals to cut it within three in the fourth.
 
After A-State scored its final goal of the game, AU went to work on the defensive end in the final two minutes. Molly Howlett (Brockport, NY/Brockport) made a save on a Pioneer shot attempt, while Lauren Sfier (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) caused a turnover and picked up a ground ball to bring down the other end and close out for the victory.
 
"It feels good to secure our first win of the season at home against a solid Alfred State team," Coach Schurr said. "We're cleaning up some things from our previous games and are excited to start conference play this weekend."
 
AU next travels to Russell Sage College for its first Empire 8 game of the season on Saturday at 12:00 PM.