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UTICA, N.Y. -- Third-seeded Nazareth fell to fourth-seeded Washington & Jefferson by the score of 2-1 in the Empire 8 field hockey championship, hosted by Utica College. The Presidents claimed the conference title for the first time after reaching the championship game in each of the previous four years. The Golden Flyers were looking to win their second E8 title Sunday afternoon. Nazareth won the championship in 2007.

With the victory, Washington & Jefferson earns an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Presidents, 14-4 overall, advanced to the championship with a 4-2 victory Saturday afternoon against top-seeded Utica. The Golden Flyers finish the season with a 7-12 overall record. Nazareth reached the conference championship contest by shocking second-seeded Stevens 3-2. The Golden Flyers scored the game-tying and game-winning goals in a three-minute span with under eight minutes in regulation to defeat the Ducks and reach Sunday's game.

In Sunday's title game against the Presidents, senior Maria Martini provided Nazareth with an early 1-0 lead with a goal just 2:17 into the game. Off a penalty corner, senior Jordan Mitchell passed to junior Lindsey Smith. Smith found Martini, who buried her shot to put the Golden Flyers on the board. Martini's goal was her fourth of the season.

After the remainder of the first half finished with Nazareth maintaining its one-goal edge, Washington & Jefferson tallied two goals in a span of 2:16 to take the lead midway through the second half. Jennifer Marabella tied the game after receiving a pass from Arielle King following a penalty corner. Erin Barno scored the eventual game-winning goal on a shot from about 15 yards away that found its way into the right side of the goal. Elizabeth Herb was credited with the assist on Barno's goal. Marabella's goal was her 15th of the season, while Barno's score was her 13th of the year.

The Presidents' stingy defense frustrated Nazareth's rally attempt. Washington & Jefferson held the Golden Flyers to only three second half shots, including just one shot in the final 15-plus minutes of regulation. Sophomore Alexis Root's shot, with 5:59 remaining, was saved by Shelby Colyer.

Washington & Jefferson finished with a 17-7 overall advantage in shots, including a 15-7 advantage in shots on goal. Colyer tallied six saves after rebounding from Nazareth's early goal. Freshman Sophia Rhoades amassed a game-high 12 saves for the Golden Flyers. The Presidents also finished with a 13-9 advantage in penalty corner opportunities. Washington & Jefferson's Meaghan Thornlow was named Tournament MVP.

Outside of the two-minute scoring attack, Nazareth's defense prevented the Presidents' powerful attack from establishing itself. Marabello, Barno, and Amanda Pflumm came into the tournament each recording over 25 points. Nazareth's Tessa Knapp and Kailee O'Hara were the Golden Flyers' leading scorers in 2011, with 23 points and 20 points, respectively. The Presidents also came into the tournament outscoring opponents 48-24 through their 16 regular-season games.

The Golden Flyers knocked off Washington & Jefferson 2-0 October 15th behind goals from Martini and O'Hara. The Golden Flyers allowed the Presidents just two shots on goal in the regular season contest, both of which were saved by goal-keeper Shannon Winney.