ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth rallied from an early deficit Saturday to edge RIT in an Empire 8 men's soccer match, 2-1, at Golden Flyer Stadium. The game was the regular-season finale for both teams.
Nazareth has won six straight and finished the season 6-1 in conference games and 9-6-2 overall. The defeat elminated RIT from E8 playoff contention as the Tigers slipped to 2-3-2 in conference games and 8-6-3 overall. Nazareth will host a first-round E8 playoff game Friday with the details to come.
On a day that Nazareth honored its four seniors -- Jared Schreiner, Raymond Touchstone, Rob Faulds and Rikesh Kotak -- the Golden Flyers rallied from a 1-0 disadvantage as Touchstone contributed his first points of the season with one goal and one assist.
RIT got a goal from Dom Colaprete in the 14th minute to go up 1-0, but Nazareth countered with 6:01 left in the first half when Touchstone scored when he headed in a shot directly off a throw-in from junior Sean Dorman.
The score remained unchanged until the 83rd minute when Touchstone delivered a long through pass up the center of the field to freshman Luke Elston, who completed the play by scoring his fourth goal of the season.
RIT had chances down the stretch to tie the score, but Nazareth proved resilient as junior goalie Kyle Connolly made eight saves.