Men's Soccer | 11/2/2003 4:01:00 PM

Box | Updated stats
ITHACA, N.Y. (Nov. 2, 2003) -- Good news and bad news for the Nazareth men's soccer team Sunday.

The Golden Flyers (8-5-3 overall) were declared co-champions of the Empire 8 Conference after battling to a 1-1 tie with Alfred. The downside is that the Saxons earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament by virtue of a 4-1 advantage in post-game penalty kicks, thus depriving the Golden Flyers of their first-ever NCAA bid for men's soccer.

"It's disappointing; that's all I can say," said Nazareth Coach Doug May. "Both teams had chances to win, so it wouldn't have had to go to penalty kicks."

Keith Phelan scored for Alfred 10 minutes into the game following a scramble in front of the Nazareth goal, but senior LaBranson Palmer answered for Nazareth less than five minutes later.

The score stayed tied through the remaining 75 minutes of regulation play, then 20 minutes of overtime so that the game is officially recorded as a tie. Alfred had a 22-13 edge in shots and an 11-7 advantage in corner kicks. Nazareth senior Scott Chapman (pictured) made 11 saves.

In penalty kicks, Alfred got goals from Adam Morgan, Austin Lozier, Bobby Linaberry, and Brian Piccardo. Matt Elliott scored for Nazareth, while attempts by Doug Rohr and Jefferson Dargout were turned away.