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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth controlled the action from start to finish Wednesday as the Goloden Flyers clinched an Empire 8 Conference playoff berth in women's soccer with a 3-0 victory over Alfred at Golden Flyer Stadium.

The win was Nazareth's 16th straight over the Saxons, who have not beaten the Golden Flyers in women's soccer since 1994. Nazareth improved to 4-2-1 in conference play and 9-4-3 overall. Alfred slipped to 1-5 in the E8 and 6-8 overall.

Nazareth dominated the statistical totals with a 29-2 edge in shots and a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks. The game was scoreless, though, until the 27th minute when sophomore Elizabeth Howell converted a cross from Kaitlyn Sowyrda for her second goal of the season.

About 14 minutes later, Sowyrda scored her second goal of the season off a pass from freshman Danielle Wilkin, who assisted for her first career point.

Nazareth's third goal came in the 65th minute and was set up off a corner kick from sophomore Tyler Carr. The kick settled on the head of Christine Belding and then to Sarah Cipperly, who headed the ball into the goal for her first goal of the season and second of her career.

The game was the final regular-season home contest for the Golden Flyers and their six seniors -- Amanda Sudore, Sarah Eichelberger, Belding, Emily Van Gorder, Katie Wyant and Kassandra Prutsman.

Nazareth used two goalkeepers -- junior Bethany Novak and freshman Mackenzie Dunphy -- and each had one save to combine for the shutout. Sanjo Scheer had 15 saves for the Saxons.

Nazareth has a pair of non-conference games left -- Oct. 23 at Williams Smith at 3 p.m. and Oct. 27 at Skidmore at 12 p.m. After that the Golden Flyers will compete in the E8 Tournament for the 11th straight year.