Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth outscored visiting Alfred 6-1 to dominate the Saxons in a women's Empire 8 Conference soccer match on Tuesday evening. The Golden Flyers, ranked 22nd nationally, scored the first four goals before allowing a goal after an Alfred corner kick. The Golden Flyers scored the last two goals in the final 15 minutes of regulation for the five-goal victory.

With the win, Nazareth improves to 11-3-1 overall and 6-1 in Empire 8 matches. Following the loss, the Saxons fall to 3-11-2 overall and 0-7 in conference contests.

Graduate student Christine Belding opened the scoring 22:04 into regulation with a header into the left side of the net. Belding received a pass from senior Elizabeth Howell after a Golden Flyers' corner kick opportunity. Just over five minutes later, junior Briana Vibbard found the back of the net with her seventh goal of the season. Following an Alfred turnover in its defensive side of the field, Vibbard controlled the ball, dribbled into the Saxons' box, and buried her shot past Alfred goalie Sammy Jo Shanahan.

In the second half, the Golden Flyers added four goals to secure the victory. Belding opened the scoring 5:30 into the period. Similar to Nazareth's first goal, Howell assisted on Belding's second goal of the game. It was Belding's sixth goal of the season. The scoring chance was set up after Alfred failed to clear the ball from their defensive zone and turned the ball over near midfield. Less than seven minutes later, the Golden Flyers stretched their advantage to four goals. Howell had an impact in the fourth Nazareth goal as she dribbled near the end line to the left of the Saxons' goal. She passed to Vibbard along the end line, who passed the ball back toward the center of the box to junior Danielle Wilkin. Wilkin's shot beat Shanahan, and Vibbard was credited with the assist.

Alfred added its lone goal with just under 19 minutes to play in regulation following a corner kick chance. Keturah Gordon put the ball into play on the corner, and Taylor Dezio knocked it toward Nazareth's goal. After bouncing off a defender in front of the net, it bounced over the goal line. Dezio was credited with the goal and Gordon earned the assist.

The Golden Flyers scored twice toward the end of regulation to add to the margin of victory. After a Nazareth player was fouled in the Saxons' box, senior Tori Ryan converted the penalty kick opportunity. In the final minutes, freshman Kate Billington scored her first collegiate goal after receiving a pass from sophomore Lauren Goodell.

Sophomore Allison Dobles started in goal for the Golden Flyers and played the opening half to earn the victory, however, she did not face any shots. Junior Mackenzie Dunphy played the second half in  Nazareth's net and allowed Alfred's goal. The only other Saxons' shot of the game was blocked by a Golden Flyer defender.

Shanahan played a total of 83:08 in goal for Alfred. She took the loss after allowing five goals while making 11 saves. Alicia Hanes saw 6:52 of action in the second half and allowed one goal.

The Golden Flyers finished with overwhelming advantage in shots, 24-2, and corner kick chances, 5-1.

Nazareth is in action again on Saturday when the Golden Flyers host Utica at 1 p.m. The Empire 8 Conference match is the final home game of the regular season. The Golden Flyers close the regular season with a non-conference game at nationally ranked William Smith on October 28th and another non-conference match at Skidmore on November 1st.