ITHACA, NY -- The Alfred University men's rugby team opened up LERC play with a big 41-10 win over Ithaca College on Saturday afternoon.

It was the first time the two teams had played each other without a technical forfeit at play. The Saxons took advantage to start conference play on the right foot.

"It was a good win today. The team played well for the first 65 minutes, but we need to work on playing a full 80 minutes," Head Coach Dale Russell said. "James (Lowe) played a great defensive and offensive game as well as scoring 11 points by kicking. We are moving forward as we prepare for Colgate in two weeks."

James Lowe (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates/BISAD) controlled play on both sides of the ball to be named man of the match. He converted four times, and had one penalty conversion as well. 

Ayomideji Israel-Akinbo (Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa/St. Andrews College) got Lowe to convert twice by scoring two trys, the only Saxon to score multiple times. Four others players scored one try, including Shamar Imang (Paramaribo, Suriname/Ewald P. Meyer Lyceum), Chevon Adriaans (Paramaribo, Suriname/SGS), Sekou Camara (Conakry, Guinea/ICSA), and Jack Murphy (Bicester, United Kingdom/Blessed George Napier Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form).

The Saxons will get two weeks to rest and recover as they head into their next match-up at Colgate University on Saturday, September 19 at 1:00 p.m.