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UTICA, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth dominated Utica Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference men's lacrosse game as the Golden Flyers scored the first 15 goals of the game in a 19-4 romp over the Pioneers at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

Senior Paul Walter had a season-best six points on fur goals and two assists while Anthony Basile, Kevin Hussey and Colin McElligott each scored three times as Nazareth improved to 5-11 overall and 3-3 in the Empire 8. Utica dropped to 6-8 overall and in conference games. An Empire 8 Conference playoff berth is still in play for the Golden Flyers, who host Hartwick Saturday at 2 p.m. in the regular-season finale. The Hawks defeated Elmira Saturday and stand at 4-2 in the conference standings, but a Nazareth win Saturday could land the Golden Flyers the fourth and final playoff berth.

Nazareth enjoyed decisive advantages over the Pioneers in every category, including shots (56-20), ground balls (39-17) and face-offs (18-8). The Golden Flyers built an early lead with three goals in the first quarter. They erupted for nine more goals in the second quarter to gain an insurmountable 12-0 lead at halftime. The added seven more goals in the second half.

McElligott finished with a career-best three goals, including the first goal of the game at 10:20. Hussey and Walter also scored in the first quarter.

The goals came fast and furious in the second quarter with Basile contributing all five of his points -- on three goals and two assists -- and McElligott also scoring twice more. Jacob Gray, Tristan Gosselin, Parker Lawrence and Drew McNerney also tallied.

Hussey and Walter scored just nine seconds apart in the opening minute of the second half to expand the lead and Gray added his second goal of the game just three minutes after that for a 15-0 lead.

Utica finally got on the scoreboard just 13 seconds after Gray's goal, but Walter scored again for Nazareth. Utica then scored three times to close out the quarter.

Hussey, Walter and McNerney each scored in the fourth quarter with McNerney's goal coming on extra man -- off an assist from Chris Murphy.

Gavin Shaner took all 26 of Nazareth's face-offs and won 18 with a game-high nine ground balls. Gosselin, a long-stick, had a career-best three points (1g, 2a) and had four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Matthew Townsend also had a pair of caused turnovers and two ground balls.

Alex Winkler played 55 minutrs in goal and made five saves. Joe Whitmore made a late appearance and was credited with one save.