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ASTON, Pa. -- Host Neumann built a 3-0 lead early in the second period Saturday and went on to defeat Nazareth for the second straight day in men's hockey, 5-2, in ECAC West action.

With just one regular-season game remaining, Nazareth dropped into third place in the conference standings following the back-to-back setbacks to the Knights. The teams are actually tied for second place with 17 points, but Neumann has the edge by virtue of its two wins this weekend. Front-running Hobart defeated Manhattanville, 3-0, Saturday to clinch the top seed and a first-round bye for the conference playoffs.

Nazareth is 11-9-4 overall and 7-4-3 in the ECAC West. Neumann, which won two of the three meetings with the Golden Flyers, improved to 12-8-4 overall and 8-5-1 in conference games. Nazareth hosts Utica Friday at 7 p.m. in its final regular-season game. Neumann is at Manhattanville for its final game Friday at 7.

In Saturday's game, Neumann surged to a 3-0 lead for the second straight night and the Golden Flyers couldn't recover. Mike Davis and Brandon Gagne scored just two minutes apart before the first period was halfway over to give the Knights an early lead. Chris Bournazos then scored unassisted at 4:34 of the second period to give the Knights a commanding lead.

Nazareth battled back later in the second period on goals by Oliver Janzen and Don Olivieri, but Bournazos scored again late in the third period and Liam Board added an empty-net goal with :18 left to frustrate the Golden Flyers.

Janzen's goal, his team-leading 11th of the season, came at 9:49 of the second period with help from Ryan Walter and Ben Blasko, who recorded his team-leading 24th assist. Olivieri's goal was his eighth of the season and came on the power play at 16:23 with assists from Tom Seravalli and Julius Tamasy.

Neumann then outshot Nazareth 11-9 in the third period and 38-21 for the game. Nazareth had two power play chances in the thrid period, but both came after Neumann's fourth goal.

Ed Zdolshek made his 10th straight start in goal for Nazareth and made 33 saves. Matt Gibney, who also started against the Golden Flyers Friday, made 19 saves.