Box Score Box Score l Updated Stats

ITHACA, NY – Second-seeded Stevens scored two of the final three goals of the game to earn an 11-9 victory over third-seed Nazareth Saturday in the Empire 8 semifinals.  The Ducks advance to Sunday's Championship game against fourth-seeded St. John Fisher at 12 p.m.  Fisher, who defeated top-seeded Ithaca 17-10 in the first semifinal game of the day, is looking for its sixth-straight Empire 8 title.

Nazareth finishes the season 10-7 overall, while Stevens improves to 13-4. 

Both halves featured back-and-forth action, with the Ducks outscoring Nazareth by one goal in each.  After a Haley DeVona goal made it 9-8 ten minutes into the second, Stevens made a crucial run with the next two goals to take a three-goal advantage, 11-8. 

Jamie Martin's fourth goal of the game made it 11-9 with 12:33 remaining on the game clock, however, that was the final goal either team would score the rest of the game.  She was named to the Empire 8 All-Tournament Team, along with Nicole DeVona. 
 
In the opening half, a goal from Kate Rothrock seven minutes in tied the game at 2-2.  Subsequently, each team went on a three goal run, beginning with the Ducks.

Stevens scored three goals over a 2:09 span for a 5-2 advantage, only to see the Golden Flyers respond with three of their own to even the score at five apiece. 

Bridget Collins and Nicole DeVona scored the bookends goals, with a tally in between from Martin off an assist from Haley DeVona.

Stevens added a goal with four minutes remaining and nearly added another in the closing seconds if it were not for a big save from Brianna Rizzari.  Stevens led 6-5 at the break. 

Jamie Martin scored Nazareth's first two goals of the second half, her second cutting the Ducks lead to 8-7.

Rizzari made five saves in the loss.

Haley DeVona had two goals and one assist.  Gabbie Charles contributed three draw controls and three ground balls.