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ITHACA, N.Y. -- Freshman Briana Vibbard scored midway through the second half to tie the game for visiting Nazareth. Sixth-ranked Ithaca tallied two goals in the final 25 minutes to hold off the Golden Flyers 3-1 in a women's Empire 8 soccer contest on Saturday.

Following the loss, Nazareth currently sits in second place in the Empire 8 conference with a 2-2-1 conference record. The Golden Flyers stand at 6-4-3 overall. With the victory, the Bombers improve to 5-0 overall in Empire 8 games, and Ithaca remains undefeated with a 12-0 record. Nazareth is battling for its position in the conference standings as Stevens, Houghton, and Elmira also have two conference victories. The top four teams advance to the conference tournament.

After a scoreless first half, Ellyn Grant-Keane scored her fourth goal of the season to provide Ithaca with its first lead. Rachel Palladino was credited with the assist on Grant-Keane's goal, which she scored in the 57th minute.

Vibbard temporarily tied the game when she scored only 1:26 after the Bombers broke the scoreless tie. Vibbard's goal was assisted by junior Olivia Derleth. Vibbard substituted into the game less than two minutes before she scored.

Two minutes after Vibbard's goal, freshman Mel Gettys put a shot on goal, but the scoring threat was thwarted by Ithaca's goalie Becca Salant, who made the save.

With just less than 25 minutes remaining in regulation, Jessie Warren tallied the eventual game-winning goal after receiving a pass from Kelsey King. Rachel Palladino added an unassisted goal to give the Bombers a two-goal lead with about 11 minutes to play in the game. It was Palladino's team-leading ninth goal of the season.

Before Palladino added Ithaca's insurance goal, Salant made another save on a shot by sophomore Kaitlyn Sowyrda to maintain the Bombers' lead. Ithaca held Nazareth without a shot for the final 17 minutes to secure the victory.

The Bombers finished with a 16-9 advantage in total shots, including a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Junior Abbie Carey tallied a game-high five saves for the Golden Flyers. Salant had four saves for Ithaca. Ithaca also had a 4-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities.

Nazareth has limited rest before hosting Utica in another Empire 8 contest on Sunday, October 6th. The Golden Flyers and Pioneers begin at 1 p.m. Nazareth closes its conference schedule with home games against Hartwick and Alfred on the 13th and 17th, respectively.