ALBANY, NY - The Nazareth Golden Flyers Men's Lacrosse (11-6, 9-0 E8) team capped off the 2026 regular season with a major victory vs Russell Sage (3-9, 1-8 E8) Saturday afternoon. The Golden Flyers will enter the Empire 8 playoff tournament ranked number one with an undefeated record in conference play. Nazareth is the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2013 and is looking for its first Empire 8 title since 2017.
 
How it Happened:

• Nazareth wasted no time getting things kicked off. Senior William O'Neill would get the scoring frenzy started for Nazareth a minute and seven seconds into the match. Senior Joey Hathorn would double up the Nazareth lead only 40 seconds later. Nazareth would continue to put the pressure on the Gators as juniors Hayden Lucas and Anthony Menickelli would each score 29 seconds apart to put Nazareth up 4-0 early on. Sophomore Alex Garrow would tally the fifth Nazareth goal only a minute and twenty six seconds later. The Gators would look to turn the tide on Nazareth, but Freshman goaltender Sven Habitzreuther would stand tall. Nazareth would finish off the first quarter with three more goals from seniors Matthew Farrington and two from Kyle Rosenberger.
• Nazareth would carry the momentum into the second quarter as Farrington would tally his second of the day four minutes and five seconds into the quarter. Senior Louis Cogliandro would tuck the tenth Golden Flyer goal 34 seconds later. The scoring frenzy would continue for Nazareth less than a minute later as Sophomore George Monahan would tally his 21st of the season. Farrington would tally his third of the game while Hayden Lucas and Menickelli scored their second to put Nazareth up 14-0. Freshman Ryan Avery would score his seventh of the season to put Nazareth up 15-0. Sage would score their first of the contest, but Nazareth would immediately respond with goals from William Meagher and Jimmy Donnelly. Senior McLean Ralston would stand tall in the crease as Nazareth would head into halftime with a 17-1 lead.
• The second half would begin with a Nazareth goal from O'Neill 30 seconds in. The Golden Flyers would continue to put relentless pressure on the Gators firing everything on net. Monahan would knock in his second of the contest to put the Golden Flyers up 19-1. Freshman Ben Wilson would tally his sixth of the season to notch the 20th goal for Nazareth. 34 seconds later Hayden Lucas would tally his third of the contest. The Gators would respond a minute later as Nazareth would take an offsides penalty, however, it would be Connor Fundis who would score a man down to record his second of the season. Zac Isaac would stand tall in net as Nazareth would finish out the third quarter up 22-3. 

• Nazareth would enter the final quarter with a comfortable 19 goal lead, but the offense would continue. Donnelly would tally his second of the contest four minutes and thirty seconds into the final frame. Rosenberger would continue his hot streak with a man up tally two minutes later. Senior Justin Skelly would add to the scoring madness with his fourth of the season. Sophomore goaltender Andrew Adams would stand tall in the crease for Nazareth as Donnelly would tuck his third of the day. Nazareth would stay hot all the way to the buzzer as Junior Luke Bobby would record his third of the season. Freshman Ryan Pitirri would tally his first career collegiate goal with 40 seconds remaining in the contest. Nazareth would finish out unscathed to defeat the Gators 28-4. 

 
Game Notes:

• Senior William O'Neill would end the day with two goals and two assists to end his season point total at 52. 
• Senior Kyle Rosenberger finished the contest with three goals and an assist to finish his season point total at 72. Rosenberger finished the regular season as the Men's Lacrosse goal leader ending the year with 50 goals. 
• Senior Matthew Farrington would tally three goals and three assists to finish his season as the overall point leader standing alone with 89. 
• Freshman Ryan Pitirri scored his first collegiate goal 
• Junior Hayden Lucas would cap out his season total at 26 points after recording three goals and two assists

Up Next:
The Golden Flyers will enter the Empire 8 playoffs ranked number one overall. They will play the winner of the Utica University - Hartwick College quarter final matchup that takes place Tuesday, April 28. Nazareth will be back in action Thursday, April 30. 
 
E8 Tournament Schedule 
Final 2026 Empire 8 Men's Lacrosse Championship Seeds
No. 1 – Nazareth University (9-0 E8)
No. 2 – St. John Fisher University (8-1 E8)
No. 3 – SUNY Geneseo (7-2 E8)
No. 4 – Hartwick College (5-4 E8) 
No. 5 – Utica University (5-4 E8)
No. 6 – Alfred University (4-5 E8)
2026 Empire 8 Men's Lacrosse Championship Schedule
Tuesday, April 28 – First Round
No. 5 Utica University at No. 4 Hartwick College – 4 p.m.
No. 6 Alfred University at No. 3 SUNY Geneseo – 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 30 - Semifinals
Winner of Hartwick/Utica at No. 1 Nazareth University – 4 p.m.
Winner of Geneseo/Alfred at No. 2 St. John Fisher University – TBA

Saturday, May 2 - Championship
Winner of Semifinal #1 vs. Winner of Semifinal #2 – TBA at Highest Remaining Seed