Score: Alfred University 20, Elmira College 8
Records: Alfred (9-3, 3-2 Empire 8), Elmira (4-5, 1-3 Empire 8)
Location: Campus Field - Elmira, NY

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's lacrosse team jumped out to an early lead on the visiting Saxons, but couldn't hold on, as Alfred University took down the Soaring Eagles 20-8 in Saturday's Empire 8 Conference matchup.

The Soaring Eagles scored the first two goals of the game and looked poised to go toe-to-toe with Alfred. EC's leading scorer, Skyler Pradelski '16, extending his goal-scoring streak to eight consecutive games to give the Purple and Gold a 1-0 advantage. TJ Leach '16 doubled the lead just over two minutes later. Leach carried the ball the length of the field down the left-wing side, and after the successful clear, wrapped around the right side of the net and deposited his first of three goals on the day.

Shortly after EC jumped ahead by two, the Saxons turned the tide in their favor with five unanswered. Although Leach brought the Soaring Eagles back within two with a five-hole shot past Alfred netminder Drew Gardner, the visitors scored seven times in the second quarter to take a commanding 12-4 lead at the break.

EC took advantage of the power play in the fourth quarter, as the Soaring Eagles managed to outscore the Saxons 3-2 in the final period. Leach completed his third hat trick of the season with a man-up goal, assisted by Anthony LaRusso '17, at the 11:35 mark of the fourth quarter. The two swapped roles on Elmira's second power-play goal, as Leach fed LaRusso for EC's seventh score.

Turning Point
Elmira's struggles in the faceoff circle have been well chronicled, and with the absence of leading draw man Blake O'Neill '19, the Saxons feasted on the Soaring Eagles from the faceoff X. Alfred's Jimmy Pratti won 28-of-31 attempts, a season-high for the third-year specialist. The ability to win possession off of the restart allowed Alfred to keep the momentum swung in its favor while sparking several scoring runs throughout the contest.

Inside the Box

• Alfred finished with 22 more shots (50-to-28), 34 more ground balls (59-to-25), and 26 more faceoff wins (29-to-3).
• Elmira held a significant edge in saves, 18-to-8.
• EC recorded four fewer turnovers than Alfred (23-to-19).
• Both teams scored two man-up goals.
• Leach paced the Purple and Gold with a team-high three goals and four points.
• LaRusso and Nevin Olney '18 each finished with one goal and one assist.
• Pradelski, Wyatt Katsos '17, and Joe Greene '17 each scored once for EC.
• Kevin Schutt '19 caused a game-high three turnovers.
• Goaltender Cameron Prior '17 made 18 stops.
• The high-powered Alfred offense was driven by Joe Fornataro with seven goals and eight points.
• John Winchell and Jake Lynch contributed three goals apiece.
• Pratti won 28 faceoffs and picked up a game-high 14 ground balls.
• Alfred's Drew Gardner played the first half in goal for the Saxons, registering four saves to earn the win.

News and Notes

• Elmira is now 4-5 on the season and 1-3 inside the Empire 8.
• Pradelski and LaRusso extended their respective point streaks to eight straight contests.
• LaRusso now has at least one point in seven consecutive games.
• Schutt has caused three-or-more turnovers in four of his last five outings.
• Freshman attacker Seth Amstein '19 earned his first career point with an assist on Olney's fourth quarter tally.

Up Next
Elmira College is back at Campus Field on Tuesday, April 19th, at 4:00 p.m., when the Soaring Eagles host E8 foe St. John Fisher College.