ALFRED, NY -- The Alfred University men's lacrosse team opened up Empire 8 play with a dominant 21-4 win over the Russell Sage College Gators on Saturday afternoon.

The Saxons improved to 5-3, and 1-0 in Empire 8 play. Meanwhile, the Gators fall to 1-2 and 0-1 in conference action.

"Max Sigmund (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) had a nice shutout," Head Coach Jason Lockner said. "Michael Gruin (Hamburg, NY/Orchard Park), Cole Loewke (Hilton, NY/Hilton) and Brendan Riley (Fairport, NY/Fairport) did a nice job leading the offense. Happy for the guys on their conference win."

AU scored the opening 18 goals of the game, not allowing Russell Sage to get on the board until the fourth quarter. 11 different scorers found the net for the Saxons, led by Loewke with five tallies and four assists. 

Riley was not far behind with four goals and one assist. Drew Smith (Walworth NY/Ruben A. Cirillo) and Gruin wrapped up mutli-goal efforts of their own with three and two goals respectively.

Marcus Darminio (Marcellus, NY/Marcellus) brought home two assists with a goal of his own. Sam Herle (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) also notched an assist alongside his goal midway through the second quarter.

Christian Moon (Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa) found the twine once as well with Jacob Michaels (Macedon, NY/Macedon) and Nicholas Kramer (Fredericksburg, VA/St. John Paul the Great) recording their second collegiate goals.

Collin Wilcox (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) recorded his first career goal to open the third quarter with an apple from Sam Crosby (Auburn, NY/Auburn) while Savino Bax (Lockport, NY/Lockport) wrapped up the Saxons scoring streak with just two seconds left in the game.

Three other scorers provided assists in the game, including Colin Kinsley (Walden, NY/Vally Central), Mason Dressler (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove Area) and Brendan O'Bryan (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate Institution). 

At the face-off dot, Hunter Cupp (Bath, NY/Haverling) went 11-for-14 while Rhett Krieger (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) went 6-for-9 and Jacob Smith (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) went 1-for-5.

In the crease, Sigmund earned his fifth win by not allowing any goals while making two saves. He was relieved for Alex Petrangelo (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) in the second half who racked up three saves.

AU will get a little break before continuing Empire 8 play at home against Keuka College on April 1 at 4PM.