UTICA, NY -- The Alfred University men's lacrosse team paid a visit to Utica University, falling just short in a 14-12 loss on Saturday afternoon.

AU (7-7, 3-4 Empire 8) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to Cole Loewke (Hilton, NY/Hilton) scoring just 34 seconds in. Loewke would then set up Sam Herle (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) to double the advantage just two minutes later.

Loewke led all scorers with a hat trick on top of four assists. Herle would add on a second goal in the fourth quarter amidst a comeback effort. Marcus Darminio (Marcellus, NY/Marcellus) wrapped up the scoring in the first quarter to bring the Saxons within one. 

Nick Volpe (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) and Drew Smith (Walworth, NY/Ruben A. Cirillo) put up goals in the three AU goals in the second quarter. Volpe would assist on Smith's first goal and add another tally in the score sheet in the fourth.

Michael Gruin (Hamburg, NY/Orchard Park) scored both of his goals to open the third quarter which brought the Saxons within one with just 15 minutes of action to go. However, four straight goals by the Pioneers widened the gap to five goals.

Alfred Univeristy scored the final three goals of the game to make things close, but ultimately couldn't get over the hump and find an equalizer. Other scorers for AU included an apple for Keagan Hoesterey (Palmyra, NY/Palmyra-Macedon) two assists for Sam Crosby (Auburn, NY/Auburn).

Hunter Cupp (Bath, NY/Haverling) doubled up the next closest scorer for ground balls with 14, going 18-for-25 on face-offs. Rhett Kreiger (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) also went 4-for-5 at the face-off dot. In the crease, Alex Petrangelo (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) finished with 11 saves.

AU has its final road game of the regular season at SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM.