UTICA, NY - Men's lacrosse traveled to Utica for the first conference game of the season, where they put the game away with a convincing 15-8 win. Quinn McKercher scored five goals for the Golden Flyers in the victory.

Nazareth's record now stands at 5-4 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while the Pioneers drop to 3-5 overall and 0-1 in Empire 8 play.

Nazareth opened up the scoring early with a man-up goal less than two minutes into the game by Kyle Rosenberger from Owen Riley. Halfway through the first quarter, McKercher scored his first goal of the game off an assist from Matthew Farrington. A Utica goal late in the first made the score 2-1 heading into the second quarter of play.

In the second quarter, the Golden Flyers put up four more goals to Utica's two to go up 6-3. Andy Hamel and Brendan Regan scored back-to-back goals early on, Hamel's goal assisted by William O'Neill.

After allowing two Utica goals, the Golden Flyers scored back to back again with about five minutes left in the half, with goals from O'Neill and Farrington, O'Neill's goal assisted by Riley.

The third quarter was even, each team scoring four goals. Scoring for the Golden Flyers was Louis Cogliandro and three from McKercher all unassisted. Heading into the final quarter of play, the Golden Flyers led 10-7.

The final quarter of play is where Nazareth was able to break the game open, holding the Pioneers to one goal while putting up five more. Scoring in the fourth for the Golden Flyers was O'Neill assisted by George Monahan. Hamel scored twice, his first assisted by Joey Hathorn. McKercher put up his fifth goal in the fourth with an assist credited to Hamel, while Hathorn found the back of the net unassisted.

McLean Ralston was in the net for Nazareth and had a total of eight saves.

The Golden Flyers will be back in action on April 2 as they host SUNY Poly at 4 p.m. in another conference game.