ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth women's lacrosse team opened up Empire 8 play on Saturday with an 11-9 victory over Utica behind three goals apiece from Kate Metzler and Emma States. Nazareth improves to 27-0 all-time against Utica with the victory.

The Golden Flyers have now won two-straight and sit at 4-5 overall and 1-0 in league play. Utica drops to 4-4 and 0-1, respectively.
 
Nazareth built its largest lead of the game on a goal from Grace Seither with 1:35 left in the second. It was an 8-3 lead at halftime before the hosts were able to chip away at the lead.
 
Julia Dietz scored her lone goal of the game late in the third to make it 10-6 in favor of the Purple and Gold.
 
In the fourth, Utica scored the first three goals, including a tally with just under four minutes remaining to draw within 10-9.
 
Desperately needing a goal, Seither was awarded a free position opportunity at 2:56 and was able to cash in to give Naz a little breathing room at 11-9. That was the final goal of the game. Seither had two goals in the contest.
 
Freshman Allie Klestinec was one short of a career-high with 13 saves. She improved to 2-1 on the season.
 
States, who now has 32 goals on the season after the three-goal output, has 10 goals in the last three games.
 
Caraline Riley and Reva Mussi also scored in the win.
 
Annie Rubel led the way with four draw controls.
 
Nazareth hosts Alfred at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.