BOXSCORE |
CUMULATIVE STATSROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Freshman Mark Daly (Glasgow, Scotland) scored the game-winning goal with just 15 seconds left in regulation Saturday to lift Nazareth to a 2-1 men's soccer victory over host RIT in a key Empire 8 Conference match.
The victory clinched for Nazareth the fourth and final playoff spot in next week's Empire 8 Conference Tournament. The Golden Flyers, 8-7-2 overall and 4-3 in the E8, will travel Friday to the winner of today's match between Stevens and Utica. The E8 championship match is Sunday. RIT finished its regular season at 9-7-2 overall and 2-4-1 in the Empire 8.
Daly's goal, his second of the season, came following a free kick by Phil Holmberg to the left of the RIT penalty area. Following the cross, Rob Faulds took a shot that was blocked by an RIT defender and landed on the foot of Daly, who blasted the game-winning shot into the back of the net.
The Golden Flyers were playing defensively (and one player short) for much of the second half following a second yellow card that was distributed to junior Justin Stevens (Canisius HS/Derby, NY), who was ejected with more than 32 minutes to play. Before exiting, Stevens gave Nazareth a 1-0 lead on an unassisted score in the 54th minute. The goal came on a rebound after an intial shot by Paul Pacitto was blocked by an RIT defender.
Nazareth sat on the lead for more than 20 minutes until RIT finally tied the score in the 78th minute as freshman Daniel Holowaty headed in a cross from senior Chuck Marion. Holowaty came lose to tying the score a few minutes earlier when his shot from the right side deflected off the left goal post.
The game was physical throughout as each team was issued three yellow cards while being whistled for a total of 37 fouls. Nazareth had the best chance of a scoreless first half when a header by Holmberg was deflected off the crossbar by RIT keeper Alan Smith.
Nazareth had an 18-17 advantage in shots, while RIT had a 6-5 edge in corner kicks. Sophomore goalie Trey Barresi (Lansing HS/Lansing, NY) made four saves for the Golden Flyers. Nazareth will be shooting this week for its third straight E8 title.