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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth fell to visiting Utica 2-1 in the teams' first United Collegiate Hockey Conference game of the season. The ninth-ranked Pioneers scored the first two goals of the contest before senior John Power found the back of the net for the Golden Flyers midway through the third period.

With the loss, Nazareth 1-2 overall and 0-1 in UCHC games. Following the victory, Utica stands at 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the UCHC.

The Pioneers' Brandon Young opened the scoring following a faceoff win by Roman Ammirato. Young one-timed the puck past Nazareth sophomore Michael Tilford 8:28 into the second period. Roughly four minutes into the third period, Utica stretched its lead to 2-0 on a wrap-around goal by Gregg Burmaster. Hunter Gunski was credited with the assist.

Power pulled the Golden Flyers to within one goal nine minutes into the third period. Following multiple shots in front of the Utica net, Power lifted a shot over Utica's Patrik Virtanen's shoulder. Junior J.R. Wojciechowski passed the puck to Power to set up the scoring opportunity. Sophomore James McDonald had an assist on the goal, too.

Nazareth thought they had evened the contest with roughly two minutes to play in regulation. Senior Oliver Janzen's wrist shot from the high slot hit the underside of the crossbar and away from the net. Nazareth pressured Utica in the final two minutes, but the Golden Flyers were unable to score the equalizer.

Tilford finished with 35 saves in 58:35 of action for Nazareth. Virtanen finished with 28 saves in 60 minutes of action for Utica. The Golden Flyers won 43 of 71 faceoffs, led by McDonald with 13 wins. Junior David Powlowski and sophomore Brian Miller each won 10 faceoffs.

Nazareth is in action again next Friday and Saturday, November 10th and 11th, for a pair of UCHC games. Nazareth hosts Elmira Friday at 7 p.m., before hosting Bryn Athyn at 4 p.m. on Saturday.