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ALFRED, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth evened its overall record at 7-7-2 Saturday with a 3-2 men's soccer victory over Alfred. The Golden Flyers also improved to 3-2-1 in Empire 8 Conference play.

Nazareth built a 3-1 lead early in the second half on the strength of goals by Rikesh Kotak and Justin Stevens as well as an own goal. Alfred scored a goal in the 60th minute to cut Nazareth's lead to 3-2, but the Golden Flyers held on for the key E8 victory.

Nazareth can lock up an Empire 8 Conference playoff berth with a victory Saturday against RIT. That game starts at 3 p.m. at Golden Flyer Stadium.

Kotak's goal was his sixth of the season and came off an assist from junior Greg Blanchard. After Alfred tied the score, Nazareth went ahead, 2-1, on an own goal just 24 seconds later. 

Stevens scored his sixth goal of the season two minutes into the second half off an assist from freshman Chris Eccles. 

Nazareth had a 12-5 advantage in shots and freshman goalkeeper Ryan Platt made one save.