ITHACA, N.Y. -- A pair of old women's soccer rivals squared off Saturday in a non-conference match and visiting Nazareth was able to secure a much-needed win over Ithaca, 1-0.

The Golden Flyers finally tossed aside some early season frustration thanks to a second-half goal from McKayla Hughes to gain their first win of the 2021 season. Nazareth improved to 1-3-2 overall. Ithaca lost for the first time this season and now stands at 4-1. The Nazareth-Ithaca women's soccer rivalry was once a fierce one in Empire 8 Conference play as the team shared the league title six times. Ithaca left to join the Liberty League after the 2016 season, but the teams have continued to play in a non-conference setting. The teams played to a 1-1 tie in 2018, then Nazareth won 1-0 in 2019.

For Nazareth, the 2021 season as been an offensive struggle so far as the Golden Flyers have managed to score just four goals in the first six games against some rugged competition. Saturday's opposition was no exception as Ithaca held advantages in shots (15-9) and corner kicks (12-6).

Nazareth finally was able to capitalize just seven minutes out of halftime. A shot originated from the foot of Kristen Prohaska and was knocked aside by Ithaca keeper Claire Reader. Hughes, however, was opportunistic for Nazareth as she redirected the rebound into the top left corner of the goal.

Ithaca had chances to tie the score later in the half, but one chance off a corner kick sailed wide of the goal post and another was saved by Nazareth's freshman keeper Annika Monfort, who finished with a career-best nine saves to gain her second shutout.

"It was a great team win," said Nazareth Coach Gail Mann. "We played with grit and a refuse to lose attitude."

Nazareth is home for its next two games -- Wednesday against Misericordia in a non-conference game at 4:30 and Saturday for its Empire 8 Conference opener against Keuka at 1 p.m.