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UTICA, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth overcame at early deficit to outscore Utica, 14-9, in Empire 8 Conference women's lacrosse action to solidify a spot in next week's E8 Tournament.

The Golden Flyers got three goals and four assists from Kate Rothrock and five goals and one assist from Haley DeVona, plus 12 saves from goalie Brianna Rizzari to improve 9-6 overall and 5-2 in conference games. Utica dropped to 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the Empire 8. Nazareth can clinch the third seed for next week's tournament with a win at home against Alfred Saturday at 1 p.m. The Golden Flyers will recognize their six seniors -- Gabbie Charles, Nicole DeVona, Jamie Martin, Leah Marvin, Kate Rothrock and Andrea Stekl -- prior to the game.

Utica scored twice in the first three minutes of the game Wednesday, but Nazareth stormed back with six straight goals over a 12-minute stretch to take control and never trailed again. Haley DeVona scored twice in that flurry and Rothrock had a goal and two assists. Katie Carroll, Nicole DeVona and Jamie Martin also contributed goals.

Utica scored three straight to draw within 6-5, but Rothrock scored unassisted with 1:36 left in the half to make it 7-5 at the break.

Nazareth opened the second half by scoring four of the first five goals to expand the lead to 11-6. Carroll and Martin each scored again just over two minutes into the second half. Then after Utica scored, the DeVona sisters each scored -- first Haley off a pass from Rothrock at 21:50, the Nicole off an assist from Martin at 18:49.

Up 11-6, Nazareth relied on its veteran leadership to carry through to the end as Rothrock scored off a pass from Haley DeVona with 12:35 to go and Rothrock fed Haley DeVona for a goal with 7:35 to go. Haley DeVona's fifth goal came with :12 to go.

Nazareth played well defensively down the stretch as well as Utica managed just one shot on goal ver the final eight minutes and that was saved by Rizzari.

Shots were even at 26 and Nazareth had 14 ground balls to Utica's 10. The Pioneers, who got three goals each from Katlyn Scarpinella and Rebecca Plunkett, won 15 of 25 draws. Stekl had two ground balls, two draw controls and two caused turnovers. Rothrock moved into eighth place on Nazareth's all-time scoring list with 190 points on 98 goals and 92 assists. The assist total ranks third all-time.

Ithaca hosts Stevens Saturday with the winner gaining for top seed and hosting privileges for the E8 Tournament, which will be contested May 6-7. St. John Fisher also clinched a playoff berth with a win over Elmira Wednesday.