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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Visiting Springfield  erupted for five second-quarter goals Saturday to break open a close game and the Pride held on to take a 10-8 men's lacrosse victory over Nazareth in the 2018 season opener for both teams.

The Golden Flyers staged a valiant second-half comeback with four goals in the third quarter and three more in the fourth, but the Pride prevailed behind two goals each from Joe Hawley and Lucas Habich.

Springfield had a decisive 12-3 shooting advantage in the first quarter, but led just 2-1 as an unassisted score from Nazareth's Jack Crowley cut the Nazareth deficit in half. Then it was all Springfield in the second quarter with two of its five goals coming off extra-man opportunities. Matt Allen scored unassisted to make the score 3-1, then the Pride scored the next four in a span of 2:28 to take a 7-1 lead into halftime.

Nazareth was able to close within 10-5 after three quarters as freshman Jeremy Jacob and senior Paul Walter scored twice each. The Golden Flyers' momentum carried into the fourth quarter as Walter scored twice more, including once on extra man, to close the gap. His first goal came off a pass from Jack Crowley. Then Myles Young set up Walter on extra man as Nazareth closed to within 10-7. The Golden Flyers had one more man-up opportunity in the quarter, but were unable to capitalize.

Crowley closed out the Nazareth scoring with an unassisted tally with 1:49 left, but the Pride was able to run out the clock after that.

Springfield had a 42-32 advantage in shots overall, while Nazareth won 11 of the 20 face-offs. Sophomore Andrew Leahey was in goal for the first half and made six saves for the Golden Flyers. Sophomore Alex Winkler played the second half and was credited with five saves. Jake Reynolds went the distance for Springfield and made 10 saves.

Nazareth is home again Friday to host sixth-ranked Cortland at 3 p.m.