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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Four first-period goals proved to be enough for host Nazareth Tuesday in a non-conference hockey game against Cortland at the Sports Centre at MCC. The Golden Flyers held off a furious third-period rally to take a 4-3 victory over the Red Dragons in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Playing for the first time in 30 days, Nazareth boosted its overall record to 5-8-1, while Cortland, also idle since Dec. 8, dipped to 4-8-2.

Nazareth led 4-2 after the first period, then Cortland added a goal in the second period. The teams went scoreless over the final 20 minutes as the Golden Flyers killed off four Cortland power play chances.

Nazareth freshman goalie Joe Gladnick was chosen the game's first star after finishing with 33 saves, including 16 in the third period, for his first career win. Junior Zach Lewis and sophomore Tom Seravalli each contributed one goal and one assist. Junior Mark Zavorin and freshman Scott Andler also scored and freshman Packy Jones added two assists.

A Cortland penalty just 39 seconds into the game helped set up Nazareth's first goal as Seravalli knocked in a rebound off a shot by Jones at 1:59 to put Nazareth up 1-0. Cortland's Michael Lysyj scored his first of two goals at 4:59 to tie the score, but Nazareth responded with three straight goals to take a commanding lead.

Zavorin netted his team-leading 10th goal of the season four minutes after Lysyj's goal to give the Golden Flyers the lead for good with Seravalli and Jones assisting. Less than two minutes later, Andler scored his second goal of the season off a rebound of a shot by Lewis. The score went to 4-1 when Lewis scored his third goal of the season off an assist from Alex Silvia.

Lysyj added his second goal with :23 left in the first period, then Mike Henrici scored with :48 left in the second period to close out the scoring.

In the third period, Cortland dominated with a 16-2 edge in shots, but Gladnick stopped each one, including five in the last 3:26 when Nazareth was short-handed. Defenseman Jordan Ciccarello was assessed two minor penalties and defenseman Reed Smith was whistled for a two-minute roughing infraction with 3:26 left. Then with 1:46 to go, Andler received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for a hit to the head, resulting in a 5-on-3 advantage to Cortland for 20 seconds. After Smith's penalty expired, Cortland pulled goalie Lyle Rocker (19 saves) in favor of a sixth skater with :30 left, but the Red Dragons couldn't get the equalizing goal.

Nazareth is back in action Saturday at Oswego at 7 p.m. The Golden Flyers are home again Jan. 17 for an ECAC West game against Elmira at 7 p.m.