Freshman Nick Mikolenko scored a goal and added an assist 90 seconds apart in the first half as the men's soccer team defeated Alfred University, 3-1, on Wednesday night.

Nate Micklos added a goal on a free kick late in the second half for Rochester.

The Yellowjacket defense was well organized by senior Mike Springer who returned to the back line after spending the 2003 campaign as a forward.

Rochester kept the Saxons off the board until six minutes into the second half when Bobby Linaberry tapped in a free kick from Keith Phelan.

Rochester couldn't penetrate the Alfred defense although Micklos was sprung free on a breakaway less than 10 minutes into the match. His hard shot from outside the area was saved by Alfred goalkeeper Brian Middleton.

With just under three minutes to play, the Yellowjackets attacked on left wing. The ball was played into the middle where Mikolenko collected it, dribbled around two defenders, and left footed a 10-yard shot under the dive of Middleton.

Less than 90 seconds later, Mikolenko played a ball from left wing into the center of the box. Middleton couldn't grab it, but he did block shots by Jeremy Mann and Ben Cross before Mann finally touched it into the open net from less than a yard out.

Alfred pressed after pulling within 2-1, but couldn't get through the defense. Springer was strong in the middle along with Steve Maltzman, Jeff White, and Eric Meister.

With just over 10 minutes to play, Micklos earned a free kick 27 yards from goal. He and Cross stood over the ball as the Saxons organized the defensive wall. Micklos ran towards it, then struck a hard shot under the wall into the lower left corner of the goal.

The Yellowjackets host SUNY Oswego on Saturday at 7 pm in the first round of the Flower City Classic.

This game was a pairing of Alfred, which won the Empire Eight title last year to reach the NCAAs, and Rochester, which has won four straight ECAC crowns.