ROCHESTER, NY – Senior Owen Riley tied a career-high with three goals (also added an assist) to help the Nazareth men's lacrosse team open with a 9-8 victory over Springfield on a snowy NLPA field on Saturday. The February 15^th date was the earliest regular season opener in Golden Flyers men's lacrosse history.

Nazareth is 1-0 on the season, while the Pride are 0-1.

The Golden Flyers held the lead for most of the contest, until the Pride recorded two consecutive goals in the fourth to take an 8-7 advantage with 12:25 to play. McLean Ralston and the Nazareth defense stood tall the rest of the way to help the Golden Flyers to come back and earn the win.

Freshman Alex Garrow scored his first-career goal from Riley with just under 10 minutes to play to even the game. Less than a minute and a half later, junior Joey Hathorn netted his first of the year from Kyle Rosenberger which proved to be the game-winner. Rosenberger also had two goals in the win.

Ralston made two of his 12 saves in the fourth quarter to earn the victory between the pipes.

Nazareth led 3-1 after the first quarter and 5-3 at the half. It was 6-6 after three quarters of play.

Andy Hamel and Quinn McKercher also had goals for Nazareth.

Nazareth finished 0-for-2 with the extra attack and the Pride were 1-2.

Jakob Denkenberger was 8-of-18 on faceoffs.

Nazareth returns to action on Saturday, traveling to Endicott for a 12 p.m. contest.