Men's Soccer | 11/7/2019 8:29:04 PM
ROCHESTER, NY – Top-seed Nazareth College will host No. 3 seed Alfred University for the 2019 Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Championship at noon on Saturday, Nov. 9 from Golden Flyer Stadium. The league champion receives an automatic berth into the 2020 NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship, which begins on Nov. 16-17.
Nazareth extended its unbeaten streak to 12 matches after defeating No. 4 seed Elmira, 2-0 in the first semifinal on Wednesday afternoon. Francesco Viavattene and Sam Smyth scored second-half goals for the Golden Flyers, while Brian Wilkin recorded his sixth shutout of the season and 22nd of his collegiate career. Nazareth is 9-0-3 over its last 12 games and 13-2-3 overall in 2019. The Golden Flyers have outscored their opponents this season, 48-13. Jake Adams leads Nazareth in scoring with 11 goals and 25 points, while Sam Smyth is right behind with 19 points on six goals and a league-best seven assists. Adams leads the league with five game-winning goals. Wilkin leads the conference with 13 wins, a 0.66 goals against average and an .841 save percentage.
No. 3 seed Alfred advanced to the Empire 8 Championship match in dramatic fashion, as Winston Thomas scored the game-winning goal in the 94th minute to lift the Saxons to a 1-0 win over No. 2 Sage Wednesday night. Jon Nadoline made seven saves in goal for the shutout. Justin Eaton, a freshman, leads all Empire 8 players in scoring with 13 goals and 27 points. Zachary Gloskin is second on the team in scoring with 13 points on three goals and an Empire 8 best seven assists. Nadoline has recorded two straight shutouts.
Earlier this season, Nazareth rolled to a 4-1 win over the Saxons at Golden Flyer Stadium on Sept. 21. Dan Serpe scored two goals to lead the Golden Flyers, while Adams and Andrew Gengler also scored. Gloskin tallied for the Saxons.
Nazareth is looking for its fourth league championship and first since 2006. Alfred won Empire 8 co-championships in 2001 and 2003\.
This weekend's championship schedule is below. For the most up to date information on this year's championship, follow the Empire 8 Conference on Twitter (@Empire8).
2019 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Schedule
Wednesday, November 6 - Semifinals
No. 1 Nazareth 2, No. 4 Elmira 0
No. 3 Alfred 1, No. 2 Sage 0 (OT)
Saturday, November 9 - Championship Final
No. 3 Alfred at No. 1 Nazareth – 12 p.m.
Admission
$6.00 - Adults
$4.00 - Students and seniors with ID
Free - Children under 12
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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