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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth freshman
Alex Manchev scored the game-winning goal with 8:14 remaining in regulation to lead the visiting Golden Flyers to 1-0 victory over RIT in an Empire 8 conference men's soccer game Saturday afternoon.
With the victory, Nazareth finishes the regular season with 10-4-2 overall record, and an undefeated 5-0-2 record in conference games. The Tigers finish the regular season with an 8-7-1 overall record and a 5-2 record in the Empire 8. The victory gives the Golden Flyers a total of 12 points in conference play, which clinches the top seed in the upcoming Empire 8 tournament, November 6th and 8th.
Each team had several scoring opportunities throughout the match. Early in the first half, sophomore
Andrew Alaimo beat the Tigers' goalkeeper to a ball in the penalty area, but his rushed shot missed wide right. In the 15th minute, RIT's Chris Somers had a free kick opportunity from between the Nazareth box and midfield. His long shot soared just over the Golden Flyers' crossbar.
The Tigers continued to pressure the Golden Flyers at the end of the first half. In the 42nd minute, sophomore goalkeeper
Ryan Platt left the goal area to play a ball, but RIT's Jeff Diaz beat Platt to it. Diaz ripped a shot from around midfield, but it rolled wide right of the open Nazareth goal. A couple of minutes later, Platt made a save on Bobby Bullard's header to keep the game scoreless at halftime.
RIT continued its offensive pressure early in the second half. Diaz forced Platt to make a save after he put a header on goal at the 48:02 mark. About 10 minutes later, Platt made a diving save to rob Somers of another scoring opportunity. Between the Tigers' scoring opportunities, sophomore
Sean Dorman put a long shot toward the RIT net, but it went wide.
Nazareth junior
Rikesh Kotak entered the game in the 79th minute and quickly put a shot on goal, but the Tigers' keeper, Ben Frazier, made the save.
At the 81:23 mark, Kotak put a corner kick into the Tigers' six-yard box. RIT headed the corner out of the six-yard box, but senior
Mohammed Ahamed was right there to send a header back into six-yard box. Ahamed's header went directly to Manchev, who back-heeled his shot into the Tigers' goal with 8:14 remaining in regulation. Manchev finished with a game-high three shots on goal.
Platt made four saves for the Golden Flyers to record his sixth shutout of the season. Platt has allowed just one goal in Nazareth's seven conference games. Frazier was also credited with four saves for the Tigers.
The Golden Flyers finished with a 15-10 advantage in shots and a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. The hard-fought game featured a total of 25 fouls and four yellow cards.
The Golden Flyers go into the E8 tournament with a nine-game unbeaten streak. Nazareth will host a semi-final game Friday, November 6th. The complete seedings will be determined following the St. John Fisher/Elmira game, which is being played Tuesday afternoon.