ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior Sam Smyth, back in the lineup after missing six games with an ankle injury, scored the game's lone goal with 3:24 left in regulation Saturday to lift Nazareth to a 1-0 victory over visiting Elmira in men's soccer action at Golden Flyer Stadium.

The victory as the ninth in a row for the Golden Flyers, who improved to 10-1-1 overall and 5-0 in the E8. Nazareth also has won 16 straight home games, dating back to the 2019 season. The Golden Flyers entered Saturday's action tied for first place in the E8 standings. Elmira slipped to 7-7 overall and 2-4 in conference play.

On Saturday, the teams were embroiled in a scoreless stalemate until late in the second half, when freshman Drew Decker emerged with a scoring opportunity along the left side of the goalie box. His centering pass ended up on the foot of Smyth, who buried a low shot into the goal for his second tally of the season and 15th of his career. Decker gained his team-best 10th assist of the season.

Nazareth had a 17-9 edge in shots and a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. Freshman goalkeeper Logan Menna played all 90 minutes and made five saves for his fifth shutout of the season. Giovanni Garufi had eight saves for Elmira.

Prior to the game, Nazareth honored its seven seniors, including Smyth, who was appearing in his sixth game of the season. The Golden Flyers also recognized Adoniadis Savidis, Colin Brickwood, Zein Mohamed, Adrian Padilla, Dan Serpe and Antonino Marino.

Nazareth has two more Empire 8 Conference road games this week -- Wednesday at St. John Fisher at 7 p.m. and Saturday at Hartwick at 3 p.m.