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PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Nazareth defeated host St. John Fisher 3-0 in a women's Empire 8 Conference soccer game on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Flyers, ranked 20th nationally in the most recent Division III poll conducted by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, received goals from freshman Paige Sullivan, junior Courtney Malia, and senior Kaitlyn Sowyrda.

With the victory, Nazareth improves to 7-2 overall and 2-0 in Empire 8 games. Following the loss, Fisher drops to 2-8 overall and 0-1 in conference contests.

Sullivan put the Golden Flyers on the board 29:55 into the first half after receiving a ball from Malia. It was Sullivan's second goal of the season. The Cardinals' goalie, Brooke Seavitt, made four saves in the opening period to keep Fisher within one goal going into the second half.

Nazareth scored twice in a 9:32 span midway through the second to seal its victory. A little over seven minutes into the half, Malia converted a penalty kick opportunity to stretch the Golden Flyers' lead to two goals. It was Malia's first goal of the season and also the first of her collegiate career. With 26:08 to play in regulation, Sowyrda added Nazareth's third goal as she scored an unassisted tally for her first goal of the season.

The Golden Flyers finished with a 17-11 advantage in total shots and a 6-0 advantage in corner kick chances. Sophomore Allison Dobles and junior Mackenzie Dunphy combined to blank Fisher. Dobles played the opening 71:07 and finished with two saves to earn the victory. Dunphy took over for the final 18:53 and recorded three saves. Seavitt had eight saves in the loss.

Nazareth is in action again on September 30th when the Golden Flyers travel to the University of Rochester to take on the Yellowjackets in a non-conference game. The Golden Flyers are in the midst of a four-game road trip and will also play at Elmira (October 4th) before returning to Nazareth to host Hartwick (October 11th).