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UTICA, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth fell to Utica 1-0 in Saturday's rainy Empire 8 men's soccer opener for both teams. The Pioneers' Anthony Caruso made four saves to keep the Golden Flyers off the board. Nazareth's defense allowed Utica only two shots on goal, but Kevin McAllister converted a first-half opportunity to score the game's lone goal.

Following the loss, the Golden Flyers slip to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in conference games. With the victory, Utica improves to 3-4 overall and opens the season with a 1-0 record in the Empire 8 standings.

On the Pioneers' 18th-minute goal, Jonathon Peterson started the scoring chance as he passed the ball to Shane Ruffing. Ruffing tipped the ball over to McAllister, who slipped the ball into the lower left side of Nazareth's goal. It was Peterson's third goal of the game.

At the 23:27 mark, senior Simon Mounsdon had a great opportunity for the game-tying goal, but Caruso made a sprawling save to deny Mounsdon's shot. Caruso dove to his right and made the save with his foot. Sophomore Yacov Zohn's point-blank shot in the 34th minute was also saved by Caruso.

Nazareth's goalkeeper, freshman Nate Ripic, kept the Golden Flyers' deficit at one goal with a save in the 42nd minute.

In the second half, Mounsdon and classmate Luke Elston each had shots saved by Caruso. Moundson's shot was in the 56th minute while Elston recorded his in the 78th minute.

Although he did not face a shot on goal in the second half, Ripic made a great defensive play to keep Nazareth within one score. With around 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Ripic came out of the goal to steal the ball from Peterson on his breakaway opportunity.

The Golden Flyers had a corner kick opportunity in the final minute, but they were unable to put a shot on goal. Nazareth finished with a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks and an 11-5 advantage in total shots. Senior Scott Duarte tallied three additional shot attempts. Sophomore Ramez Al-Hebshi and junior Kory Seibt each also had an attempt.

The Golden Flyers return to Nazareth to resume their Empire 8 schedule on Saturday, September 21st with a 1 p.m. game against Elmira.