ROCHESTER, NY – Senior Quinn McKercher and junior Brendan Regan combined for eight goals including three in the second quarter as the Nazareth University Men's Lacrosse team used a six-goal second quarter to pull away from Alfred University as the Golden Flyers went on to post a 16-8 victory Wednesday afternoon in the semifinal round of the Empire 8 Tournament.

Nazareth (12-6 overall) advances to face St. John Fisher Saturday in the Empire 8 Tournament championship game with the winner earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Golden Flyers relied on a strong defense ion the first quarter to take a 2-0 lead. Juniors Andy Hamel and Owen Riley each scored for the Golden Flyers while sophomore goalie McLean Ralson made seven saves on the first seven shots on goal to keep the Saxons (10-4) off the board.

In the second quarter, McKercher scored the first of five goals on the day to start a four-goal run that ended with a Regan goal as Nazareth went ahead 6-1. Sophomores William O'Neill and Kyle Rosenberger both scored in the run.

Alfred scored three of the next four goals to trim the lead before McKercher scored his second goal of the game to end the half.

McKercher started the third quarter with a goal. The teams traded goals as Regan scored his second and third goals of the contest and sophomore Matthew Farrington scored to end the quarter with Nazareth leading 12-6.

McKercher, O'Neill and senior Sal Ingrassia each scored in the fourth and McKercher capped the scoring late in the quarter for the final score.