Box | Updated Stats
ROCHESTER, NY - The Nazareth field hockey team defeated Elmira College 4-2 to earn the fourth seed in next weekend's Empire 8 tournament at Stevens Institute of Technology.  The Golden Flyers improved to 6-9 and 3-3 in the conference while Elmira ends its season 1-15, 0-6. 

Nazareth scored three of four goals on penalty corners.  The first goal was scored by Emily Conway at 14:10.  Sarah Wazenkewitz took the hit on the corner and passed it to Nina Fargnoli who assisted Conway.  Kailee O'Hara scored 10 minutes later off another penalty corner to give the Golden Flyers a 2-0 lead.  She was assisted by Lindsey Smith.

Elmira's Carly Wichrowski scored the first goal in five games for the Soaring Eagles on a break-away goal at 32:43 to pull within one, 2-1.  Just one minute later, Nazareth's Jordan Mitchell extended the lead to 3-1 after scoring on another penalty corner.  She was assisted by Smith. 

Three minutes into the second half, Nazareth was awarded a penalty stroke.  Julie Davis beat Elmira keeper Lauren Thomas to make the score 4-1. 

The Soaring Eagles scored the final goal of the game at 54:23.  Molly Hurd scored off an assist from Alexandra Maffei, but Nazareth held on for the 4-2 win.  

The Golden Flyers out-shot Elmira 23-7 and had a 12-7 advantage on penalty corners.  Kelsey Evans finished with five saves in goal for Nazareth, while Elmira's Thomas had eight saves and allowed four goals.  Riannon Crocker played the final 25 minutes in goal for the Soaring Eagles and made four saves.

Nazareth will face host Stevens in the semi-finals of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament on Saturday, November 6. The winner will play on Sunday, November 7 for the conference championship and will be an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.