| 10/27/2004 4:27:36 PM

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PITTSFORD, NY - The RIT Men's Soccer team earned a berth in the Empire 8 Tournament after defeating Nazareth College 1-0 at Nazareth field on Wednesday afternoon in the final regular season match for both teams.

Junior midfieder Mike Lawson (Wall, NY/Wall) scored the game's lone goal in the 17th minute.  Senior Joe Sheflin (Geneseo, NY/Geneseo) (Geneseo, NY/Geneseo) stole tha ball from a Nazareth defender about 30 yards from the goal, dribbled a few steps and then crossed a pass to edge of the penalty area, where Lawson calmed slid the ball past the keeper.  It was Lawson's third goal of the season.

RIT nearly made it 2-0 two minutes later, as Sheflin came in on a partial breakaway, but was robbed by Nazareth goalkeeper Alex Kilroy.

Shortly before the end of the first half, RIT goalkeeper Nate Andrews (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) made a diving stop on a shot from just outside the penalty area top preserve the lead.

RIT out-shot Nazareth 15-8.  Kilroy stopped eight shots for Nazareth (5-10, 2-4 Empire 8).  Andrews finished with three saves for the Tigers.

Both teams had numerous chances in the second half, but could not find the back of the net.

With the win, RIT (7-7-1, 3-3 Empire 8) advances to the Empire 8 Tournament , where they will play at top-seeded Ithaca College on Wednesday, November 3rd, at a yet-to be determined time.