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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth scored three times in the first half Saturday and the Golden Flyers went on to take a 4-1 men's soccer victory over Alfred in the Empire 8 Conference opener for both teams at Golden Flyer Stadium.

The victory snapped a three-game winless streak for the Golden Flyers, who improved to 5-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the E8. Alfred dropped to 2-6 overall and 0-1 in conference action.

In a physical game that included 31 fouls (16 on Nazareth, 15 on Alfred) and five yellow cards (three on Nazareth, two on Alfred), the Golden Flyers were on point offensively with junior Dan Serpe contributing two goals and Jake Adams and Andrew Gengler one each.

Nazareth was the agressor in the early going and finally got on the board in the 17th minute when Adams headed in a cross from Dereck France. About 12 minutes later, Nazareth scored again as Serpe launched a kick from beyond the midfield line that carried over the head of Alfred keeper Ben Middlemiss and into the net. Adrian Padilla gained credit for the assist.

The Golden Flyers struck again less than two minutes before halftime as Max Lichtman sent a perfect through pass to Andrew Gengler, who beat Middlemiss with a low shot to the right side of the goal.

Alfred finally got on the board in the second half following a Nazareth foul in the penalty area. Zachary Gloskin converted the resulting penalty kick to break the shutout. Serpe's second goal came about nine minutes later, in the 67th minute, as he deflected in a pass from Sam Smyth.

Nazareth had advantages in shots (16-9) and corner kicks (5-3). Nazareth's Brian Wilkin and Middlemiss each had two saves.

Nazareth is back home Tuesday for a non-conference game against Medaille at 7 p.m.