Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth sophomore #C.J. Estes# tallied a game-high four goals, all of which he scored in the first 18:08 of the game, to lead the host Golden Flyers to a 14-4 Empire 8 conference victory over Alfred in a men's lacrosse game. Nazareth surged to a 14-0 lead before allowing the Saxons their first goal.

With the victory, the 12th-ranked Golden Flyers improve to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the Empire 8. Alfred falls to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in conference games.

Senior Mark DeCirce and junior Joe Jacobs-Ferderbar each added two goals to Nazareth's offensive attack. Seniors Kurt Detwiler and Cory Bottiglier and juniors Scott Castle, Kyle McLean, and #R.J. Gringeri each found the back of the net once for the Golden Flyers. Sophomore Greg Wagner# was also credited with a goal when the Saxons' goalie, Tim Doyle, flipped the ball into his own goal following a loose-ball scrum.

Nazareth's attack started quickly in the first quarter as Jacobs-Ferderbar scored the Golden Flyers' first goal 2:01 into the game after receiving a pass from junior Joe Valasiadis. About four minutes later, Estes tallied his first goal of the game after Castle found him with a well-timed pass. Less than 40 seconds later, Estes scored his second goal of the game, this time coming unassisted. With 7:29 left in the first quarter, senior Mike Cummings set up Nazareth's fourth goal, finding Detwiler who was left unguarded by the Alfred defense. Estes was unstoppable in the first quarter as he recorded his third goal of the game just 8:19 into the quarter.

Estes also opened the Nazareth scoring in the second quarter with his fourth goal coming just 3:08 into the period. The Golden Flyers then tallied a flurry of five goals in a span of 2:43 to put Nazareth ahead 11-0 with 8:13 to play in the half. Castle started the Nazareth run with his 14th of the season, followed by Bottiglier after he received a pass from DeCirce. DeCirce finished with two assists in addition to his two goals. DeCirce's first goal put Nazareth ahead 9-0 and came with 8:30 to play in the quarter.

McLean scored his goal nine seconds after DeCirce's goal as he won the ensuing faceoff and raced down field. After the Saxon defender slipped at the top of the box, McLean took a few strides inside the box then scored on his open shot. On the ensuing faceoff, Gringeri controlled the ball and raced down the field to set up a fast-break to put Nazareth ahead 11-0. McLean and Gringeri's respective goals were separated by just eight seconds.

With 4:45 left in the half, Wagner was credited with his goal after neither team was able to control the ball in front of the Alfred crease. Doyle tried to pick up the ball by flipping it into his stick, but he ended up flipping it into his goal. Jacobs-Ferderbar closed the Golden Flyers' second quarter scoring with a goal set up by junior Mike Centra, which came with 4:06 to play in the quarter.

DeCirce scored his second and Nazareth's final goal of the game early in the third quarter to put the Golden Flyers' advantage to 14 goals. The Saxons scored their first goal of the game with 7:44 to play in the third quarter. Alfred found the back of the net three additional times in the fourth quarter to cut its final deficit to 14-4. Scott Johnston tallied the Saxons' first two goals followed by a goal from Mark Zoyhofski and Paul Eaton.

The Golden Flyers held an advantage in shots (51-18), ground balls (42-22), and (17-6) faceoffs. The Golden Flyers were also perfect (14-14) on their clear attempts and forced the Saxons into a game-high 18 turnovers.

Senior Todd Dermody played the first half for Nazareth and held Alfred scoreless. He was credited with four saves. Sophomore Grant Williams played the second half in goal and made three saves. Doyle finished with 16 saves for the Saxons. Justin Becker played the final minutes in net for Alfred, but was not forced to make a save.

The Golden Flyers continue their conference schedule when they travel to Elmira for a Saturday afternoon contest April 3rd.