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UTICA, N.Y. -- Sophomore Julius Tamasy scored for visiting Nazareth, but Utica's offensive attack overpowered the Golden Flyers as the Pioneers defeated Nazareth 7-1 in an ECAC West hockey game on Friday evening. It was Tamasy's sixth goal of the season.

With the loss, the Golden Flyers drop to 6-15-1 overall and 1-11 in conference games. The Pioneers, ranked third nationally by d3hockey.com and eighth nationally by USCHO.com, improve to 18-4 overall and 9-3 in ECAC West contests. Utica improved to a commanding 13-2 in home games and have outscored opponents 82-29 in those contests.

Utica's offense struck first with three first period goals. Rob Morton opened the scoring five minutes into the game. Adam Graff and Mike Slowikowski also added first period goals. The Pioneers' offense entered the game ranked fourth in the country averaging almost five goals a game.

The Golden Flyers slowed Utica's attack in the second period, allowing a lone power play goal 4:32 into the period by Trever Hertz. Tamasy answered roughly seven minutes later on Nazareth's power play opportunity. Senior Ben Waldman and freshman Scott Dawson earned assists on Tamasy's goal. It took Nazareth's offense only 22 seconds to score with the man advantage after Tamasy and Waldman each won a faceoff to maintain the Golden Flyers' offensive pressure. Waldman and Dawson each had shots saved before Tamasy's found the back of the net.

The Pioneers added three goals in the third period to secure the victory. Jon Gaffney scored in the opening minute of the stanza to reclaim the momentum for Utica. Evan Chlanda and Slowikowski added goals in a span of 33 seconds midway through the period to give the Pioneers the six-goal victory.

Freshman Joe Gladnick started the game for the Golden Flyers and recorded nine saves and three goals against in just under 15 minutes of action. Classmate Ed Zdolshek played the final 45:12 in goal and finished with 33 saves and four goals against. Zdolshek amassed 18 saves during the second period to hold the Pioneers' potent offense to one goal.

Nick Thierrien earned the victory for Utica with 15 saves and one goal against as he played all 60 minutes. Thierrien has been one of the top ranked goalies in Division III throughout the season. Thierrien entered the game ranked sixth nationally in win percentage at .833.

The Golden Flyers are looking to avenge Friday's loss when Nazareth hosts Utica on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Sports Centre at MCC.