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'09 Stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- For the first time ever, Nazareth is the top seed and host for the Empire 8 Conference men's soccer tournament, which gets underway Friday. The Golden Flyers, unbeaten in their last nine games (7-0-2) and 10-4-2 overall, hosts fourth-seeded St. John Fisher (9-6-1) at 2 p.m. at Golden Flyer Stadium.
Second-seeded Stevens (13-3-1) hosts third-seeded RIT (8-7-1) in the other semifinal Friday. The winners play Sunday for the E8 title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. If Nazareth wins Friday, it would host the championship game Sunday at 12 p.m. All the games will be available through
LiveStats and will be
web cast.
"This has been one of our goals for the past two or three years," said Nazareth Coach Danny Gilbertson. "We've wanted to host the conference tournament and we're proud of the achievement. Now we have to step up and prove that we deserve it."
Nazareth clinched the regular-season title with a 5-0-2 conference record that included a 1-0 win at RIT last Saturday in the regular-season finale. Freshman
Alex Manchev scored off an assist from
Mohammed Ahamed with less than nine minute to play to snap the scoreless tie. Both Manchev and Ahamed were also honored earlier this week at first-team E8 all-stars.
Nazareth's defense also has played a significant role in the team's success this season. The Golden Flyers yielded just one goal in conference play and have allowed just three goals during their current nine-game unbeaten streak. Sophomore goalie
Ryan Platt took over the starting role against Utica Sept. 25 and the Golden Flyers haven't lost since. He has a 0.33 goals-against average with six shutouts in that span.
"We've worked hard on our shape and on our defensive communication," Gilbertson said. "Playing defense is not always the most enjoyable side of sports, but if you play good defense you always have a chance to win."
Nazareth defeated Fisher, 2-0, in the regular-season meeting Oct. 17 at Fisher as Manchev scored both goals for the Golden Flyers.
"It'll be a whole new ball game this time," Gilbertson said. "They will no doubt be determined to prove that they were unlucky to lose the first time."
Nazareth will be seeking its fourth conference title in men's soccer and its third NCAA Tournament berth. The Golden Flyers last made it in 2006 when they advanced to the national quarterfinals and finished 15-5-3 overall.