Courtesy of NazAthletics.com
ONEONTA, NY – Junior Jake Pawlika scored for the eighth consecutive game Saturday afternoon to lead the Nazareth University Men’s Soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Hartwick.
Pawlika is one of only two players in NCAA Division III to score at least a goal in every game this season and ranks among the top players in the country with an average of a goal per game.
His goal Saturday came off a failed clearing attempt by Hartwick that deflected off the leg of Pawlika and into the 18-yard box giving the junior a clear shot on goal. He drilled a shot to the lower left corner of the goal for the 1-0 Nazareth lead late in the first half.
The Nazareth defense continued its strong play with a third consecutive shutout effort despite the pressure put on by Hartwick in the second half and especially in the closing minutes.
With four minutes to play, the Hawks had a great chance with a sliding shot from just outside the box but senior Patrick Larking made a diving save to keep the shutout alive.
Hartwick had a 10-2 edge in corner kicks in the game and a 7-1 edge in the second half.
Larkin finished with five saves as he helped Nazareth remain undefeated at 7-0-1 and a perfect 2-0-0 in conference play.Nazareth will play at Utica next Saturday before returning home the following Wednesday for a non-conference game against Rochester.
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