ROCHESTER, NY – A statistically lopsided game turned into a close result as the Nazareth College field hockey team escaped with a 1-0 win over Sage Saturday in the Empire 8 conference opener on the Artificial Turf field at Nazareth.

The Golden Flyers (4-3 overall, 1-0 E8) had a huge advantage in shots and penalty corners but it was a diving shot by senior Jennifer Hilts that finally hit the back of the cage for the only goal of the game with less than 11 minutes to play that was the difference.

The play that resulted in the goal started on the left side of the goal and freshman Caroline Desautels carried the ball along the end line and sent a centering pass to the mouth of the goal where Hilts went to the ground and extended out to redirect the ball into the goal.

The goal and two points moved her into a fifth place on the all-time scoring list at Nazareth as she reached the 75-point milestone and into a tie with Kathy Hoyt '02 in fifth place. Hilts is now just two points from fourth place and three from third on the all-time points list.

The goal also moved her into fifth place on the all-time goals list as she netted her 29th career goal and moved into a tie with Kailee O'Hara '13 on the list. Hilts needs one more goal to tie Hoyt for fourth spot.

Against Sage (2-5, 0-1), Nazareth held an 11-0 edge in shots in the first half but the score was 0-0 after the first two quarters as Sage goalie Abigayle Greier came up with several big saves.

After a nearly even third quarter, Nazareth regained control and held a 7-1 edge in shots over the final 15 minutes. For the game, the Golden Flyers had an 8-0 advantage in penalty corners. Nazareth finished with a 21-3 shots advantage and a 17-1 edge in shots on goal.

Nazareth hits the road for three consecutive games with a non-conference game Tuesday afternoon at Rochester, an 11 am conference game Saturday in Pennsylvania against Washington and Jefferson and a midweek road game at William Smith on October 2.