BOXSCORE | CUMULATIVE STATS
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Nazareth's magical 2007 field hockey ride continued Sunday as the Golden Flyers captured their first-ever Empire 8 Conference championship as they rallied for a 2-1 victory over host Washington & Jefferson at Cameron Stadium.

In keeping with the pattern of their recent games, the Golden Flyers had to come from behind to win the title. They scored twice in the second half Sunday to erase a 1-0 deficit. Seeded second going into the tournament weekend, Nazareth defeated W&J for the second time this season and improved its record to 14-5. The top-seeded Presidents are 15-4.

"This is the best thing our program has ever accomplished," said third-year Nazareth Coach Andrea Tutino, who played for the Golden Flyers from 1996 through 1999 and was an assistant coach after that. "We had expectations to do well, but I don't think anyone expected us to do this."

Senior Kelly Miranda (Ossining HS/Ossining, NY), who scored two goals for the Golden Flyers in Saturday's win over Ithaca, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Sophomore Kelly Flanagan (Fairport HS/Fairport, NY) scored both goals for the Golden Flyers in the second half to boost her team-leading total to 17.

Her first goal came with about 20 minutes left as she blasted a shot past W&J goalie Ashley Rund after settling a penalty corner from Jodee Magistro (Cosewogue HS/Port Jefferson Station, NY). The game-winning goal came with 9:03 left. Rund saved an initial shot by Miranda and Flanagan alertly knocked in the rebound to give Nazareth the lead and ultimately the conference title.

"It's very sweet," Tutino said. "I can believe it, but it hasn't really sunk in."

Nazareth also came from behind to win its last two games. They rallied for a 2-1 win at Utica last Sunday to clinch an Empire 8 Tournament berth and then got a pair of second-half goals from Kelly Miranda to defeat Ithaca, 3-2, in Saturday's semifinal game.

The victory completed a worst-to-first rise in the Empire 8 standings in 2007 for the Golden Flyers, who had not experienced a winning season since 1999. The Golden Flyers were 5-12 in 2006 and finished last in the E8. In addition, they were picked to finish last in an Empire 8 pre-season poll this season.

"We knew we had the talent," Tutino said. "It was just a matter of putting it all together."

Although the E8 championship does not carry with it an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, the Golden Flyers are hopeful that they will receive their first-ever NCAA invitation when selections are revealed later today.