ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Junior Christine Belding scored the game-winning goal 1:52 into the second overtime session to lift host Nazareth to a 1-0 non-conference victory over Skidmore. Following the victory, Nazareth improves to 9-3-4 overall. The Thoroughbreds fall to 12-5 overall following the loss.
The Golden Flyers are in action again November 4th as they compete in the Empire 8 Conference tournament. Nazareth is seeded second for the tournament. The Golden Flyers will take on third-seeded Ithaca in one semifinal. Top-seeded Stevens will play fourth-seeded St. John Fisher in Friday's other semifinal. The championship will be played Sunday. As the top seed, the Ducks earn the opportunity to host the tournament in Hoboken, N.J.
Junior Amanda Sudore set up Belding's overtime heroics with a cross from the right wing into the penalty area. Sudore's pass was partially deflected by a Skidmore defender, but still found its way toward Belding. Belding collected the loose ball on the left post about six yards out. After making a move to the right around the Throughbreds' defender, Belding tucked the ball past Skidmore's goalie, Meghan Sleezer, and into the lower left corner of the goal.
The Golden Flyers had opportunities to score during regulation than the Thoroughbreds, but Sleezer was up to each challenge through all of regulation and the first overtime period. Sleezer finished with 10 saves before allowing Belding's goal. The Thoroughbreds came into the contest against Nazareth with only eight goals against them through their previous 16 games.
Sophomore Anne Czelusniak had one of the Golden Flyers' best chances to score before overtime. With 17 minutes to play in regulation, Czelusniak forced Sleezer into making a diving save to her right on a shot from just outside the box. Czelusniak's opportunity was set up by a long pass by senior Deborah Towle.
Nazareth's goalie, sophomore Abbie Carey, prevented Skidmore from scoring the go ahead goal in the final minutes of regulation as she thwarted two of the Thoroughbreds' better scoring opportunities. Carey beat Skidmore's forward to a through ball in the middle of Nazareth's penalty area and smothered it before a shot could be taken. Moments later, Carey punched another ball out of the Golden Flyers' penalty area. Carey finished the contest with three saves to record the shutout.
In the 89th minute, Skidmore forced a turnover deep in Nazareth's defensive zone. The Thoroughbreds' Abby Benton collected the ball and took a shot from the middle of the Golden Flyers' penalty box. Benton's shot, however, sailed wide left.
Nazareth finished with a 15-11 advantage in shots, including an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Golden Flyers also had a 6-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities.
Belding and junior Katie Wyant each finished with a team-high two shots on goal for Nazareth.