ALFRED,NY-  The AU men’s soccer team played a close match to visiting Marywood, 4-5, Saturday evening at Merrill field.

AU played a strong first half, starting with a free kick goal by senior midfielder Tony Gai (Burke, VA/Lake Braddock) in the 18^th minute.  Gai would then serve a ball to senior forward Frankie Mannino (Elmira, NY/Elmira Free Academy) who then buried it with a header in the back of the net.  The third Saxon goal came from a penalty kick scored by Gai at the 35^th minute.  This would prove to be the last score of the half and Alfred headed into intermission with a 3-2 lead.  Alfred (2-2-0, 0-0-0 Empire 8) also outshot Marywood (2-1-1) seven to four for the half.

The second half opened up with another Alfred goal as Gai netted a penalty kick to earn an impressive hat trick.  Marywood would then creep back into the match.

For the game, freshman goalie Matthew Unick (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) would play the first half making a save.  Freshman William Badger (Dannemora, NY/Saranac) would start the second half (26 minutes) and make a save before senior Jacob Bird (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) would finish the game (43 minutes) with four saves.

Alfred returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m. on the road at Hilbert.