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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth's women's soccer team, ranked 21st nationally, defeated visiting Hartwick 3-1 in an Empire 8 Conference contest Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Michaela Soules had a part in each of the Golden Flyers' goals with an assist on both of the goals by graduate student Christine Belding before scoring her fourth goal of the season in the final minutes of regulation.

With the victory, Nazareth improves to 9-2-1 overall, and the Golden Flyers remain undefeated in Empire 8 contests with a 4-0 record. Following the loss, the Hawks drop to 7-3-1 overall and 3-1-1 in conference games.

The victory puts Nazareth on top of the conference standings before tomorrow's critical game at 25th-ranked Ithaca. Ithaca is currently in second place in the standings with a 4-1 conference record. Since 1999, Nazareth or Ithaca has won 13 of 15 of the conference titles, including five shared titles. Hartwick is third, and Stevens is fourth with a 3-1 conference record. Ithaca's lone loss was to Stevens, and Stevens' loss was to Elmira. Sunday's game at Ithaca is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Belding scored her first goal of the game 20:42 into the first half after receiving a cross from Soules. Soules collected a loose ball at the left side the end line and crossed it to Belding, who was waiting by the Hartwick goal to knock it past the Hawks' goalie, Annie Millar. Belding's goal was the only scoring in the opening period.

Hartwick scored 63 seconds into the second half, however, as Allie Ricci scored her first goal of the season after receiving a pass from Sierra Bentley. The tie score lasted roughly 18 minutes before Belding scored again on nearly an identical play as her first goal. Soules collected another loose ball on the left side of the field near the end line and sent a cross to Belding, who converted the scoring opportunity to reclaim the Golden Flyers' lead. With her two goals Saturday, Belding now has four goals on the season.

Soules added an insurance goal with 5:35 to play in regulation on a corner kick opportunity. Junior Courtney Malia played the ball toward the left post, and Soules converted the corner kick with a header into the Hawks' net.

Nazareth finished with a dominant advantage in total shots, 24-6, and the Golden Flyers also had a 6-3 advantage in corner kick chances. Millar recorded a game-high 11 saves to keep the Hawks in the game. Sophomore Allison Dobles earned the victory for Nazareth, and she was credited with three saves. Hartwick's Casey Boucher, Sierra Bentley, and Kylie Thayer entered Saturday's game with 15 combined goals, and the Golden Flyers' tenacious defense held the trio to three total shots.

After Sunday's contest at Ithaca, the Golden Flyers play another critical conference game on October 18th when Nazareth travels to Stevens. The Golden Flyers return to Nazareth on the 21st to host Alfred.