Men's Soccer | 9/11/2021 2:31:00 PM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Cooper LaValley and Jake Pawlika each scored twice and added an assist and Sam Smyth delivered one goal and two assists Saturday as Nazareth defeated Pitt-Bradford, 6-2, in a non-conference men's soccer game played at Golden Flyer Stadium.
Nazareth's second win in a row enabled the Golden Flyers' record to improve to 3-1-1, while the Panthers dropped to 1-3-1 overall.
The Golden Flyers scored twice in the first half and extended their advantage to 3-0 early in the second half. After Pitt-Bradford scored, the Golden Flyers added three goals in a seven-minute stretch to pull away. The Panthers added a late tally on a penalty kick in the 85th minute.
Pawlika's two goals were his third and fourth of the 2021 season. He scored first in the 19th minute as he finished off a short cross from Smyth. Freshman Ryan Fitzgerald scored his first career goal in the 40th minute as he one-timed a shot into the Panthers' goal off a pass from Dylan Rippe.
Less than two minutes into the second half, LaValley's second goal of the season off a pass from Pawlika extended Nazareth's lead to 3-0. After the Panthers scored, LaValley converted again off a pass from Smyth. Pawlika scored again just 30 seconds later with LaValley generating the assist. Smyth then closed out the Nazareth scoring with an unassisted score in the 60th minute.
Chase Rider scored both Pitt-Bradford goals, including a penalty kick conversion following a Nazareth hand ball in the penalty area.
Nazareth's dominance was supported by a 41-7 edge in shots. Logan Menna, Partrick Larkin and Trevor Clark all saw action in goal and combined for one save. Sihle Sizani started in goal for the Panthers and had 11 saves.
Nazareth opens its Empire 8 Conference schedule Saturday with a home game against Alfred at 12 p.m.