Box l Updated stats
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth used a balanced scoring attack to dominate Ithaca, 18-9, in a women's Empire 8 lacrosse game. Seven different Golden Flyers found the back of the net, including freshman Amy McIntosh who tallied five goals and senior Michelle Cook who had four goals and two assists. In last week's 19-9 victory over Hartwick, McIntosh scored a career-best six goals.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 5-2 in conference games and 10-4 overall. Nazareth currently sits in third place in the Empire 8 standings going into tomorrow's 4 p.m. contest at Elmira (2-5 E8, 5-7 overall). After the loss, Ithaca sits just a half-game up on Nazareth with a 6-2 Empire 8 record. The Bombers are 9-5 overall. If Nazareth defeats Elmira Saturday, the Golden Flyers would clinch the second position, behind ninth-ranked Stevens (7-0 E8, 12-2 overall) and would likely play the Bombers again in the upcoming conference tournament, May 7th-8th.

The Golden Flyers scored early and often against Ithaca to take control of the game early in the first half. Defensive pressure helped Nazareth build its early lead. Following a turnover caused by sophomore Alyssa Johnston, Johnston collected the loose ball and found senior Kristine Olijnyk, who scored to put Nazareth on the board just 53 seconds into the game. About three minutes later, McIntosh scored her first goal of the game after forcing a turnover and collecting the ground ball. McIntosh received a pass from Olijynk to put the Golden Flyers ahead 2-0.

Ithaca and Nazareth traded the next six goals over a span of six minutes to leave Nazareth ahead, 5-3, with about 19 minutes still remaining in the first half. McIntosh scored her second and third goals of the game for the Golden Flyers, sandwiched around a goal by sophomore Megan Cregan.

Nazareth then built on its advantage following a quick scoring run as McIntosh, sophomore Leah Cronister, and Cook each scored one goal apiece within 1:18 to stretch Nazareth's lead to 8-3, with 15:01 to play in the half. Cronister added her second goal of the game a couple of minutes later to provide the Golden Flyers with a six-goal advantage. Ithaca and Nazareth each found the back of the net one more time in the final 10 minutes of the first half to leave the Golden Flyers with a 10-4 advantage at the break. Senior Chelsey Amidon scored for Nazareth.

As in the first half, the Golden Flyers struck quickly in the second half as they scored two goals in the first 6:33 of the second period. Johnston and Cook each scored unassisted goals, with Cook converting a free position opportunity.

After the Bombers scored back-to-back goals to trim their deficit to 12-6, Johnston scored again for Nazareth to slow Ithaca's attempt to rally. The Golden Flyers secured their victory in the final 11 minutes with two goals by Cook, and an additional goal apiece from Johnston, McIntosh, and Amidon.

Freshman Tara Prosak had 12 saves and nine goals against for the Golden Flyers. Jess Worthman allowed all 18 of Nazareth's goals and was credited with seven saves. Amidon finished with three caused turnovers and a team-high four ground balls. Johnston had four caused turnovers while Cook had four draw controls.

The Golden Flyers held small advantages in shots (33-28) and ground balls collected (27-24). The Bombers finished with a 16-13 edge in draw controls.