Box Score Box | Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth scored three times in the final 4:48 of regulation to tie Stevens, 11-11, and force overtime. Junior Suzie Gray scored the game-winner with 1:57 to play in overtime to lift the Golden Flyers to the Empire 8 Conference victory over the visiting Ducks on Saturday afternoon. Trailing 11-8, sophomore Carly Gates had a pair of goals sandwiched around a goal by junior Brianna Mancini. Gates' scored the game-tying goal with 32.2 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. The game-tying and game-winning goals were both converted free position shots. The Golden Flyers were 5-10 on free position attempts for the day.

With the victory, Nazareth improves to 8-7 overall and 5-2 in conference games. The Golden Flyers also move into third in the standings. Ithaca, ranked 16th nationally, stands in first at 7-0, followed by St. John Fisher, who is 4-1 in conference games. With the loss, Stevens slides to fourth in the standings with a 4-2 Empire 8 record. The Ducks are 7-8 overall.

Nazareth and Stevens traded goals through the opening 23 minutes of the second half to leave the Ducks ahead 11-8 before the pair of goals by Gates around Mancini's score in the final minutes of regulation. Gates' first goal was unassisted, while Gray assisted on Mancini's goal. After just over four minutes of scoreless action in overtime, Gray found the back of the Ducks' net after receiving a pass from senior Kelsey McNaboe. Stevens had the possession in the closing seconds of overtime, however, Nazareth's defenders prevented the Ducks from passing to cutters in front of the goal and preventing drives to the net. The Ducks managed a final shot toward the Golden Flyers' net before the buzzer sounded, but senior goalie Tara Prosak collected it to secure the victory.

Senior Emily Rothrock broke the scoreless tie 2:08 into the first half by converting a free position shot. Stevens answered with a trio of goals in a 50-second span to take a 3-1 lead. Erika Wilcox scored first for the Ducks followed by a pair of goals by Caitlyn Hughes. The Golden Flyers answered with their own string of three goals in a run span of 4:55. Junior Brooke Sullivan scored 4:33 into the period to cut Nazareth's deficit to 3-2 before Gates tied the game 1:11 later. Sullivan capped the run with a free position shot about four minutes later to briefly reclaim the lead.

Stevens took a 9-6 lead at the break by outscoring the Golden Flyers 6-2 in the final 18:41 of the period. Wilcox and Rafferty each had two goals for the Ducks while Caroline DeLuca and Mariel Haubrich both had one tally. Nazareth's goals were scored by freshman Hayley Spoljaric, who earned a free position shot after clearing the ball from the Golden Flyers' defensive zone and running through the Ducks' defenders, and Mancini, who received a pass from Gates in front of the Stevens' goal.

Sullivan scored 5:46 into the second to trim Nazareth's deficit to two goals. Emily Rothrock was credited with the assist on Sullivan's goal. The score remained 9-7 for over 15 minutes before Stevens' Mackenzie Swartout found the back of the Golden Flyers' net. Less than a minute later, senior Amy McIntosh scored for Nazareth after taking a pass from Sullivan. Wilcox's goal with 7:17 to play in regulation provided the Ducks the 11-8 advantage.

During their rally, the Golden Flyers thought they had an additional goal from Sullivan but it was wiped out by a Stevens' foul. Nazareth was awarded a free position chance, but the attempt went wide of the goal.

Prosak finished with 10 saves to earn the victory while Stevens' Janelle Welkie was credited with four saves. The Golden Flyers enjoyed advantages in shots (27-23) and ground balls collected (13-10). The Ducks took command of draw controls by winning 19 of 27 opportunities.

Nazareth will be in action again for the Empire 8 Tournament, May 3rd-4th. The tournament will be hosted by top-seeded Ithaca.