Box
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON. N.Y. -- Freshman Noah Malta, competing in his first collegiate game, scored a pair of goals for visiting Nazareth Saturday as the Golden Flyers opened their 2019 men's soccer season with a 4-0 non-conference triumph over Bard.

The game marked the first-ever men's soccer meeting between the two schools. The Golden Flyers, competitors in the Empire 8 Conference, are home Monday and Wednesday for two more non-conference games against Villa Maria and Wells respectively. Bard competes in the Liberty League.

Malta, a scholastic standout at Hilton High School, where he led the Cadets to a Section Five title in 2018, scored a goal in each half Saturday to lift the Golden Flyers.

Sophomore Sam Smyth, who had a team-best four shots on goal, opened the scoring with a goal in the 19th minute off an assist from junior Dan Serpe. Malta's first goal, an unassisted tally, came about six minutes later to put Nazareth ahead 2-0.

With less than three minutes remaining in the first half, freshman Dylan Rippe scored his first collegiate goal with another assist from Serpe. Malta registered his second goal, also unassisted, in the 52nd minute.

Nazareth enjoyed advantages in shots (16-7) and corner kicks (5-2). Senior Brian Wilkin ( three saves) made the start in goal and combined with junior Josh McNutt (one save) on the shutout.