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PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- Seniors Gabrielle DiSanto and Catherine Willard had two goals apiece to lead visiting Nazareth to a 4-2 victory against Elmira in an Empire 8 field hockey game on Saturday. DiSanto's goals were her first of the season while Willard now has a team-high six goals as she has tallied a pair of goals in the each of the Golden Flyers' last three games.

With the victory, Nazareth improves to 3-1 overall and opens the season 1-0 in the conference. Following the loss, the Soaring Eagles drop to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the Empire 8.

DiSanto put the Golden Flyers on the board 8:11 into the game after knocking in a rebound from classmate Maggie Muzio's initial shot. The Soaring Eagles tied the game 1:25 before halftime to go into the break knotted 1-1. Elmira's goal was scored by Megan Brain, who tipped a shot past Nazareth goalie Lauren Devine from about two yards away. It was the first goal the Golden Flyers had allowed in more than 130 minutes of action. Brain's goal was assisted by Kristy Haskell after the scoring opportunity was set up by Atu Machika.

Less than a minute into the the second period, Nazareth reclaimed the lead with DiSanto's second tally of the game. DiSanto placed her low shot into the right corner from about 5 yards out. Muzio was credited with the assist. Only 2:33 later, Willard scored an unassisted goal, which would be the eventual game-winning score. Willard controlled the ball from midfield then buried a slap-shot from the top of the arc to give the Golden Flyers a two-goal lead. Brain answered quickly for Elmira to close the Nazareth lead to 3-2. Brain's goal was less than a minute after Willard's.

With just under 20 minutes remaining in regulation, Willard added an insurance goal after cutting inside the Soaring Eagles' defense.

Elmira finished with a 16-12 advantage in total shots, and each team had four penalty corner chances.

Devine recorded two saves in the win. Sophomore Marisa Walck added a defensive save in the 57th minute. Walck's defensive save came moments after Elmira rang a shot of the post. Mikayla Rebusmen had five saves for the Soaring Eagles in the loss.

Nazareth puts its three-game win streak on the line when it travels to play 13th-ranked William Smith on Tuesday. The Golden Flyers resume their Empire 8 schedule Saturday when they travel to Washington & Jefferson.