UTICA, N.Y. -- Nazareth completed its regular-season Empire 8 Conference schedule Sunday against host Utica and the Golden Flyers got five goals from sophomore Nora Davis (Bishop Ludden/Syracuse, NY) in a 10-7 women's lacrosse victory at Charles Gaetano Stadium.

The Golden Flyers won their 28th straight regular-season conference game and improved to 8-0 in the Empire 8 and 10-3 overall. Utica dropped to 7-7 overall and 4-4 in the E8.

The game was close throughout, but the Golden Flyers scored three straight goals to open the second half to build the largest lead of the game at 8-4. Utica, however, answered with three straight goals to close the deficit to 8-7 with five minutes to play.

Davis then scored twice, her team-best 33rd and 34th goals of the season, in the last 4:25 to give Nazareth its three-goal margin of victory.

Utica took an early lead on a goal by Casey Pelletier, but Nazareth countered with goals by Alyssia Roberts (Marcus Whitman/Stanley, NY) and Davis to take a 2-1 lead. Jennifer Young (Marcellus HS/Marcellus, NY), Annalee Murphy (Ithaca HS/Ithaca, NY) and Michelle Cook (Waterloo HS/Waterloo, NY) also scored in the first half as Nazareth maintained a 5-4 advantage.

Davis scored the first two goals of the second half -- both off assists from Cook -- and Kelly Lighton (Bishop Ludden HS/Syracuse, NY) added her first goal of the season off a free-position shot to extend Nazareth's lead to 8-4.

Junior Maria Fusco (Immaculate Heart Central/Chaumont, NY) played the first 46 minutes in goal and made seven saves. Ann Sessler (CazenoviaHS/Cazenovia, NY) played the rest and recorded two saves.

Nazareth closes out its regular-season schedule Tuesday at home against Union at 5:00 p.m. The Golden Flyers then host the Empire 8 Conference Tournament this weekend with top-seeded Nazareth hosting Ithaca in Saturday's first round and Stevens and St. John Fisher meeting in the other game.

2008-04-20