HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's soccer team closed their 2017 season in a wet but hard fought 3-1 loss to Alfred State this afternoon.

Garrett Rehner netted his second goal of the season which lifted Hilbert to an early first half lead.  But the Pioneers went on a 3-0 run and captured their third victory of the season. 

"We started the match bright with energy and we were able to snatch the lead," said coach Mike Ertel.  "Unfortunately, we were not able to maintain the intensity and succumbed physically as the match progressed."

Both teams did the best they could from start to finish managing the wet and slippery field playing through light rain throughout the match. 

Rehner drilled the ball from just outside the box after an Alfred State foul and when the keeper didn't contain the shot, Hilbert jumped ahead 1-0 in the 8th minute.

A-State responded in the 22nd minute and that 1-1 score carried through to intermission.

Hilbert outshot the Pioneers (12-11) and worked for one more corner than the visitors in the first half.

Alfred State's roster depth was a difference maker as they pushed the pace and attacked harder in the second period.  A pair of second-half markers put the game away for the Pioneers and dropped Hilbert to 0-16 on the season.

Rehner and Travis Hicks were credited with two shots on-goal each while Jon Saeli, Brandon Bundschuh and Rehner combined for 12 of Hilbert's 19 shots.

Ryan Valentine posted six saves in his final collegiate game for Hilbert.

The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) First Round play-off games are scheduled for Saturday, October 28th with seed #4 Franciscan hosting #5 La Roche and seed #3 Medaille hosting #6 D'Youville.  #1 undefeated Penn State Behrend and #2 Mt. Aloysius (8-1) earned a pass directly to the semi-finals and will host the winners of the First Round games next Wednesday, November 1.  The AMCC Championship game will be hosted by the highest-seeded team alive after the semi-final games.

Hilbert, at 0-9, finished the season in 10th place.  "The outlook is positive as we continue to build the program for the future," stated coach Mike Ertel.

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