UTICA, N.Y. -- Sophomore Cooper LaValley scored once and assisted on a second goal Saturday as Nazareth extended its men's soccer winning streak to eight games with a 2-1 victory over Utica.

Nazareth improved to 9-1-1 overall and 4-0 in Empire 8 Conference play. Utica dropped to 4-5-1 overall and 1-2 in E8 games.

Nazareth scored once in the first half and then early in the second and had to fend off a late charge by the Pioneers that included a goal in the 83rd minute that cut the Golden Flyers' lead in half. Freshman goalkeeper Logan Menna shined for the Golden Flyers down the stretch as he finished with nine saves, including eight in the second half.

The game was evenly played early on before Nazareth capitalized on an errant Utica goal kick that wound up on the foot of Nazareth's Drew Decker. The speedy freshman was able to beat the Utica defender to the end line and crossed the ball through the goal crease, where LaValley was able to one-time a shot into the goal for his ninth tally of the season. Decker gained credit for his ninth assist of the season.

Nazareth scored in similar fashion in the second half, this time with LaValley setting up the scoring play. On the right side of the box, LaValley was able to create enough space to cross a pass into the box and senior Colin Brickwood finished off the play for his fifth goal of the season. 

Utica's goal with less than eight minutes remaining came off a rebound after Menna made the initial save. He was credited with a couple more saves before time expired to preserve the win.

Nazareth returns to action Saturday with a home game against Elmira at 1 p.m.