Courtesy of NazAthletics.com
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Nazareth hung around with Stevens for the majority of the game, before a late goal put the game on of reach as the Ducks were victorious 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Nazareth drops to 9-5-1 with the loss and 4-2 in conference play, while Stevens moves to 9-5-2 and 5-0-1, respectively. Stevens clinches the top seed for the Empire 8 tournament with a win over Sage next week, or a tie or loss from Alfred in either of its final two contests (Sage/Fisher).
The Ducks took just over seven minutes to get into the scoring column as Nikolai Figueroa put home a header off a loose ball.
The pesky Nazareth team had an answer in the 33rd minute with Justin Pumputis redirecting a shot from Zach Titus into the back of the net. It was Pumputis’s first collegiate goal.
Stevens scored a crucial goal in the 37th minute off a corner kick to go up 2-1, a lead it would take into the half. Andrew Masur cashed in a cross from Jonas Melendez.
Although being outshot 25-5 in the match, Nazareth was able to weather the storm for most of the game due to strong goalie play from Brian Wilkin. The sophomore goalie finished the game with 11 saves in net.
The constant pressure from the Ducks amounted to another goal in the 82nd minute off a set piece from just outside the box. Daniel Aversano bent a shot into the near post that Wilkin got a piece of, but was unable to keep out of the net.
Josh Crespo led Nazareth with two shots.
The Golden Flyers return home on Saturday for Senior Day, hosting Houghton College at 3 p.m.
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