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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth fell behind 3-0 in the first half of an Empire 8 Conference men's soccer game against Elmira Saturday and couldn't fully recover as the Soaring Eagles held on for a 3-2 victory.

The loss was the second straight for the Golden Flyers, who dropped to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in E8 games. Elmira remained unbeaten at 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the Empire 8. Junior James Wheeler accounted for both goals in the second half for the Golden Flyers, who had 17 of their 24 shots in the final 45 minutes.

Elmira got first-half goals from Andre Germano, Ernesto Valverde and Brian Lowe to build a commanding 3-0 advantage in the first 33 minutes. The score stayed that way until the 77th minute when Wheeler one-timed a pass from Ryan Foley for his fifth goal of the season.

About seven minutes later, Wheeler scored again as he converted a penalty kick following an Elmira foul in the penalty area. Nazareth tried desparately to get the equalizing goal in the final six minutes, but two shots by Wheeler were saved by Elmira goalie Jordan Dougherty and another by Mama Amar sailed wide before time expired.

Dougherty finished with seven saves and sophomore #J.P. Horan# had 11 for the Golden Flyers, who were ranked 19th nationally on Tuesday before suffering losses to RIT and Elmira.

Nazareth is back home Tuesday for a non-conference game against Union at 6:30 p.m.