Box Score l Updated Stats

ROCHESTER, NY – Host Nazareth used an eight-goal second quarter to pull away from visiting Elmira, downing the Soaring Eagles 20-2 Saturday in the Empire 8 opener for both teams.  The two goals scored by Elmira are the fewest allowed by the Golden Flyers in the 18 meetings all-time between the schools.

Nazareth improves to 4-4 overall and 1-0 in Empire 8 play with the win, while Elmira remains winless at 0-4.

Nazareth had six players with two goals or more in the contest, with a total of 11 finding the back of the net.  Junior Paul Walter added a game-high four goals to compliment his career-high five tallies that he recorded in Nazareth's win over Hamilton on Tuesday.  He also had two assists.

The Golden Flyers finished the game with a 74-21 advantage in shots, including 26 in the second quarter to kick-start the offense.

Nazareth scored two of its goals in the opening quarter, with Walter starting the offense seven minutes in off an assist from Jack Crowley.  Later in the quarter, Walter fed Nick Rodin for the 2-0 advantage.

The barrage in the second quarter saw the hosts notch six goals in the first 5:52 to build an 8-1 margin.  Crowley began the run with back-to-back goals to start the spurt, while Luke Longo, Chris Murphy, Walter and Joe Eiskant each got in on the action.

Rodin and Eiskant, who each finished with two goals apiece, scored later in the quarter to give Nazareth a 10-1 lead at the half.

Following Elmira's second goal of the game on the man-up to start the third, Nazareth shut the Soaring Eagles down defensively the rest of the game and scored the final 10 goals.

Nazareth dominated the faceoff circle all game to maximize possessions, winning 20-of-24.  Seth DeLisle was 10-for-11, Tim Vinton 8-for-9, and Gavin Shaner 2-for-4.

The Golden Flyers scored five goals in each the third and fourth quarters to round out the scoring.

Sophomore Mike Riis found the net on back-to-back goals for Nazareth in the fourth quarter for his first career tallies.  Justice Bower was credited with his first-career goal in the win, while Jonathan Olbrich and Michael May each scored their first goals of the season.

Crowley finished with a hat trick and two assists, while Eiskant added a pair of goals and assists.

Murphy poured in two goals, while Connor Chapman had two assists.

Parker Lawrence led Nazareth with six ground balls.

Alex Winkler (two saves) and Rick Kronenwett (three saves) each played a quarter between the pipes.  Andrew Leahey played 30 minutes, making four saves.

Nazareth returns to action Tuesday when it will travel to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse to take on St. Lawrence University at 5 p.m.