Brandon Griffin (Corning East) found the back of the net seven times as the Alfred State lacrosse team closed out the home portion of their season with a 14-6 victory over Niagara CCC. The win improves the Pioneers to 4-7 and 3-3 in Region III Western Division play.
The Pioneers scored the only two goals of the 1st quarter but really put distance between themselves and the Thunderwolves with seven goals in the 2nd quarter. Alfred went into halftime with a 9-2 lead.
NCCC rallied back and outscored Alfred 4-1 in the 3rd to cut the lead to 10-6 heading into the final quarter. In the 4th, the Pioneers outscored Niagara 4-0 to seal the victory.
Griffin had a season high nine points on the day with his seven goals and two assists. Three of his goals came in the 4th quarter and he accounted for four of the team's five 2nd half goals.
Nate Spoor (Penn Yan) recorded a hat trick while Bradley Murdoch (Auburn) chipped in two goals, three assists, and had a team high nine ground balls. Frank Martin (Whitney Point) had a goal and an assist, Dave Ford (Elmont/Sewanhaka) scored once, and Keegan Phalen (East Aurora) was credited with an assist.
The trio of Mike Alessi (Liverpool), Paul Duthoy (Brockport), and Sam Chambers (Memphis/Jordan Elbridge) combined to make 19 saves. Duthoy led the way with 11 saves while Alessi made eight.
The blue & gold end the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Monroe CC for a 2 p.m. start with the Tribunes. The Pioneers need a victory to keep their playoff chances alive.
