ELMIRA, NY- The Nazareth men's soccer team secured at least a top 2 seed in the upcoming Empire 8 tournament as it ousted Elmira 4-2 on Saturday. Jake Pawlika scored a pair of goals and Ryan Fitzgerald, along with Jack Lannon each found the back of the net.

Nazareth is now 10-2-4 overall and 7-0-3 in conference play, while Elmira drops to 4-8-4 and 4-4-2, respectively. Nazareth has 24 points atop the conference, while St. John Fisher has 23 points. The two squads will square off on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Golden Flyer Stadium. Nazareth would earn the top overall seed for the Empire 8 Championship with a win or draw.

Three minutes into the first half, Pawlika scored a phenomenal goal off the throw-in from junior Sam Romanosky.

Only minutes after the Golden Flyers scored, Elmira was able to penetrate a shot off a corner in the left upper 90, tying the game 1-1.

10 minutes later, Pawlika scored on a penalty kick to give the Golden Flyers a 2-1 lead.

Two minutes later, Elmira was able to drive to the endline and create an opportunity on goal, equalizing the game 2-2.

It was 2-2 at halftime.

In the 47th minute, Fitzgerlad headed the ball into the back of the net off a corner kick from Drew Decker to make it 3-2.

With three minutes left in the second half, the Golden Flyers were awarded another penalty kick and Lannon converted.

Logan Menna made six saves in net.