Box l Updated Stats

ROCHESTER, NY – Nationally-ranked Nazareth outscored Hamilton 6-1 in the third quarter to overcome a one goal halftime deficit and hang on for a 14-12 victory on Wednesday afternoon.  It was a clean contest between the squads with just 13 combined turnovers in the game.

Nazareth snaps a two-game skid with the win to improve to 5-2, while the Continentals drop to 3-3.

Junior Michael Cuciti came in relief at goal near the midway point of the second quarter, providing a spark off the bench for the Golden Flyers.  After trailing 8-7 at the half, Cuciti registered six of his 11 saves in the game during the third quarter, allowing the offense to go on a run.

Junior midfielder Luke Longo, who had not scored a goal all season, netted his second goal of the game at 8:19 to even the score at 9-9.  Shortly after, Nazareth took advantage of its only man-up opportunity of the game, with Luke Wooters finding Troy Haefele.

Jacob Gray, Wooters, and Matt O'Neill also scored in the quarter to push the 13^th-ranked Golden Flyers lead to 12-9 heading into the final frame.

Hamilton made the contest interesting, scoring two quick goals in the fourth and adding another past the midway point to pull to within 13-12.  Nazareth answered the call, however, as Jacob Gray scored his third tally of the game just :46 seconds after the Continentals goal to re-claim a two goal lead.

Cuciti made three saves over the final six minutes to preserve the victory.

In the opening quarter Nazareth responded to a 5-1 deficit by scoring four straight goals to even the score at 5-5.  Haefele ended the run with back-to-back goals.

Cuciti picked up his first win of the season, allowing five goals in 37:50 of play.  Scott Brown played 22:10, making three saves and allowing seven goals.

Wooters led the Golden Flyers in points with seven on two goals and five assists.  Haefele added three goals and one helper.

Cameron Fry scored his first goal of the season in the win.

Seth DeLisle went 11-of-24 on faceoffs, picking up a team-high seven ground balls.

Nazareth begins Empire 8 play on Saturday when it will travel to Elmira College for a 1 p.m. matchup.