Nazareth blanks Stevens, 2-0, to reach E8 finals
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Second-seeded Nazareth used a pair of first-half goals by graduate student
Christine Belding Friday afternoon to defeat third-seeded Stevens, 2-0, in an Empire 8 Conference semifinal game.
The Golden Flyers battled through blustery winds and near-freezing temperatures at Ithaca's Carp Wood Field to overcome the Ducks for the second time this season. The Golden Flyers are unbeaten in their last six games (5-0-1) and improved to 14-3-2 overall. Nazareth plays Ithaca (14-3 overall) for the conference title Saturday 1 p.m. The top-seeded Bombers defeated St. John Fisher 3-1 in the other semifinal game. Saturday's game is a rematch of last year's final and will mark the 10th meeting between the two teams in the E8 title match.
Belding's goals came in the 11th and 24th minute for her eighth and ninth tallies of the season. The first goal came when she redirected a corner kick by
Courtney Malia past Stevens goalie Lindsey Mahnken. She scored again about 13 minutes later when she headed in a crossing pass by sophomore
Michaela Soules, who was credited with her team-best 11th assist.
Nazareth had a 15-14 edge in shots, but nine of Stevens' shots came in the second half. The Ducks' best chances came with about 27 minutes left when a shot by Raba Nassif deflected off the left goal post. The rebound caromed to the foot of Carly Bean, who kicked the ball high over the goal. Another bid by Nassif about a minute later hit off the crossbar.
Sophomore
Allison Dobles was credited with her sixth shutout of the season after making six saves.
Mahnken finished with seven saves in net for Stevens, as the Ducks dropped to 11-7 on the season.