ROCHESTER, NY -- Nazareth defeated visting Smith 10-7 in a non-conference women's lacrosse game on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Flyers had five different players find the back of the net to lead their balanced attack. Graduate student Kate Metzler recorded a team-high three goals and added two assists. With her five points against the Pioneers, Metzler stands at 99 career points with 71 goals and 28 assists. Sophomore Allie Klestinec amassed a season-high 22 saves, including 19 during the final three quarters to keep Nazareth's lead.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 3-4 overall. With the loss, Smith drops to 4-4 overall.

After allowing the Pioneers to score twice in the opening minutes of the first quarter, Nazareth stormed back to score five of the final six goals of the stanza to take a 5-3 lead going into the second. Junior Makenna Misiurewicz opened the scoring for the Golden Flyers with a player-up goal 3:33 into the the period to cut the Nazareth deficit to 2-1, then senior Caraline Riley evened the score about two minutes later. Junior Sophia Scialdone assisted on both goals. The Pioneers reclaimed the lead temporarily, 3-2, but graduate student Maggie Vay, Scialdone, and Metzler scored before the end of the quarter to put Nazareth ahead.

The Golden Flyers added three goals in the second quarter to extend their lead to 8-4 at halftime. Five minutes into the quarter, Riley scored after receiving a pass from Metzler. Nazareth added a pair of goals in the closing minutes of the half when Metzler and Scialdone scored. Metzler's goal was set up by a pass from junior Julia Dietz, then Scialdone converted a free position shot in the closing seconds.

After Metzler's third goal of the game, coming in the opening minutes of the third, the Pioneers scored three consecutive goals to trim their deficit to 9-7 with 12:47 to play in regulation. Misiurewicz answered for Nazareth about a minute later to add insurance to the Golden Flyers' lead.

Sadie Tschider scored a game-high four goals to lead Smith's attack.

The Pioneers finished with a 38-29 advantage in shots, but Klestinec frustrated Smith's attack with her 22 saves. Brooke Testa started in goal for the Pioneers and recorded two saves while allowing eight goals. Shannone Houtenville tallied eight saves and allowed two goals in the second half.

The Golden Flyers finished with a 32-20 advantage in ground balls; Klestinec and Scialdone had eight ground balls apiece. Scialdone frustrated the Pioneers throughout the game with five caused turnovers.

Nazareth is in action again on Wednesday when the Golden Flyers travel to Muhlenberg for a non-conference game at 4 p.m.