ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Junior Christine Belding scored early in the first half for Nazareth Tuesday and the goal held up the rest of the way as the Golden Flyers blanked St. John Fisher, 1-0, in an Empire 8 women's soccer match at Golden Flyer Stadium.
Nazareth extended its unbeaten streak to eight games (7-0-1) while improving to 8-2-3 overall and 5-0-1 in conference games. The Golden Flyers also won their sixth straight game by shutout and have not allowed a goal in 590 minutes, a streak that goes back to Sept. 24 at Stevens. Fisher dropped to 6-7 overall and 3-3 in the Empire 8.
Belding's goal was her second of the season and came in the third minute of play. Junior Sarah Eichelberger dribbled down the right wing and fired a shot on goal that was saved by Fisher Noel Peck. The rebound deflected to Belding, who buried a shot into the back of the net.
Each team had chances in the second half with Fisher's best opportunity coming in the 65th minute when a shot by Vicki Alfieri caromed off the crossbar. Nazareth, meanwhile, had a potential goal by Erica Conte called back on an offside infraction.
Nazareth had a 13-9 edge in shot and sophomore goalie Abbie Carey was called upon to make just three saves for her sixth shutout of the season. She got defensive help from junior Amanda Sudore, sophomore Sarah Cipperly and seniors Deborah Towle and Jessica Jones.
The victory was Nazareth's 20th straight over Fisher in women's soccer, a streak that extends back to 1993. Nazareth is 23-2-1 in the all-time series with the Cardinals.