Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Host Springfield outscored Nazareth 8-5 in the second half Saturday to pull away for an 18-14 men's lacrosse victory over the Golden Flyers in the season opener for both teams.

On a frigid day in Massachusetts, Nazareth held a one-goal lead late in the third quarter before the Pride erupted to score six straight times between the third and fourth quarters to take the lead for good at 17-12. Nazareth answered with goals from Quinn McKercher and Braeden McKercher 50 seconds apart to make the score 17-14, but the Pride tacked their 18th goal with 3:37 left.

Brett Randall led Nazareth with two goals and six assists and Quinn McKercher added four goals and one assist. Braeden McKercher and Jeremy Jacob each scored twice.

Nazareth led 6-4 after one quarter, but Springfield rallied to take a 10-9 lead at halftime. Springfield led 14-12 heading into the fourth quarter.

Randall and Quinn McKercher each scored twice in the first quarter and Randall assisted on another goal as Nazareth led 6-4. Greg Bilek and Nathan Anderson also scored for Nazareth.

In the second quarter, Tate Martinez scored with 5:00 left for a 9-8 Nazareth lead, but Springfield scored twice before the half ended, including the go-ahead goa with :21 left, to take a one-goal lead.

Nazareth had third-quarter leads of 11-10 and 12-11 as Quinn McKercher, Jacob and Jack McOsker scored for Nazareth. Springfield then scored the last three goals of the third quarter and the first three of the fourth to seize control.

Springfield had a 54-39 edge in shots and Nazareth goalie Eric Almquist made 13 saves. Jim Parry and Matt Keane each took 18 face-offs for Nazareth and won 10 and eight respectively. Martinez had nine ground balls.

Nazareth plays its first home game Saturday against Endicott at Nazareth Lacrosse Players Association Field at 12 p.m.