ELMIRA, NY-The Alfred University women’s soccer team was defeated 2-1, Tuesday evening to kick off Empire 8 play for both teams.

Freshman midfielder Rachael Williams (Penfield, NY/Penfield) netted her first collegiate goal 3:18 into the contest to put the Saxons up 1-0, off an assist from sophomore midfielder Sara Borrhello (Cleveland, OH/Columbia Station). AU led 1-0, until Elmira’s Janine Swanson booted a rocket from outside the goalie box to tie it up.

The game would head into intermission knotted up at 1-1, as the Soaring Eagles held a 19-6 shot advantage.

In the second half Emily Karpinski buried header from Ansara Persad at the 69:05 minute mark to put Elmira up 2-1. AU was unable to respond as they dropped to 0-1 in Empire 8 Conference play. For the game, Elmira outshot the Saxons 35-11, and held a 6-1 corner kick advantage.

Junior goalie Ashley Frazell (Newton, NJ/Newton) recorded an AU career-best 15 saves in net and Karissa Wilson stopped nine shots in goal for the Soaring Eagles.

AU (1-5-0, 0-1-0 Empire 8) returns to action Saturday, Sep. 24, at 7:30 p.m., against visiting St. John Fisher.