Box Score Box | Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Visiting Houghton scored in the opening three minutes of regulation to take the early advantage in Saturday's men's soccer game. The Highlanders added two additional goals to defeat Nazareth 3-0.

With Houghton being a provisional member of the Empire 8 Conference, the game does not count toward the conference standings. With the loss, the Golden Flyers fall to 4-8 overall. The Highlanders improve to 10-1-1 overall with the victory.  

Houghton scored its first goal 2:12 into regulation on a header by Landon Sheaffer . The scoring opportunity was set up by Kevin Miranda, who sent a cross from the right side of the field outside of the box to the six-yard box.  

Nazareth thought they had tied the game in the 29th minute when sophomore Kieran McCoy found freshman Dylan Toscano inside the six-yard box. Toscano headed the cross into the net, but the goal was negated by a late offsides whistle.

Three minutes before halftime, Houghton scored their second goal. Paul Seddon dribbled through the Golden Flyers' defense in the box and slipped a shot past Nazareth's goalie Nate Ripic.

Sheaffer scored his second goal of the game with 28:18 to play in regulation. John Carpenter threw the ball into the middle of the six-yard box, and Sheaffer was able to redirect the pass past Ripic.

The Highlanders' tenacious defense held the Golden Flyers to two total shots. Toscano finished with one shot on goal, and sophomore Yacov Zohn also added one shot. Houghton finished with 24 total shots, including 13 shots on goal. The Highlanders also had a 4-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities.

Ripic played the first 63:28 in net for Nazareth. He was credited with three saves and charged with all three of Houghton's goals. Junior J.P. Horan played the final 26:32 in net, and he was credited with six saves. Jacob Dunnett finished with one save for the Highlanders to earn the victory.

The Golden Flyers are in action again on October 19th when Nazareth travels down East Avenue to face Empire 8 rival St. John Fisher. The Golden Flyers return to Nazareth on October 26th to play Ithaca.