ROCHESTER, NY – Nazareth College’s Alex Kilroy made two saves in the penalty kick session to advance Nazareth College to the NCAA Division III Tournament after a 1-1 tie against RIT in the Empire 8 Tournament championship. Kilroy saved shots from Chuck Marion (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) and D.J. Rowse (Seattle, WA/Cascade) as Nazareth won the penalty kick session.

 

RIT had a solid chance early in the first half. Mark Frisicano (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia) (Rochester, NY) worked his way past his defender and created some space inside Nazareth’s penalty area. Unfortunately, his well-placed shot dinged off the post.

Nazareth answered back with a solid scoring chance. Paul Pacito sent a cross into RIT’s penalty area that found Andrew Wirfel. He tried placing a shot into the top-right corner but just missed the post as it sailed over the net.

Jorge Ciurlizza (McLean, VA/Gonzaga) (McLean, VA) had a good chance for the Tigers with about 25 minutes remaining in the half. Chuck Marion (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) (Syracuse, NY) stole a ball from a Golden Flyer defender and fed to Ciurlizza. But his shot was right at Nazareth keeper Alex Kilroy who made the save.

RIT held a narrow edge in shots in a scoreless first half, 6-5. Chris Rouland (Center Valley, PA/Southern Lehigh) (Center Valley, PA) had to make one save for RIT, while Alex Kilroy made four stops in the first half for Nazareth.

RIT took a 1-0 lead at 47:02 on a great play by Chuck Marion (Syracuse, NY/Westhill). Marion dribbled the ball down to the end-line and fed a pass to Dennis Smyth (Potsdam, NY/Potsdam) (Potsdam, NY) who one-timed a shot into the goal.

Nazareth answered right back on a shot b Paul Pacito. Fortunately for the Tigers Chris Somers (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) blocked the ball off the line, preserving RIT’s one-goal lead.

Nazareth tied the score at 70:30 on a header by Ed Babcock. On a free kick for the Golden Flyers Babcock was able to get a head on it and over Rouland’s head for the game-tying goal.

RIT had a chance to take the lead with 1:30 remaining in regulation. Jorge Ciurlizza (McLean, VA/Gonzaga) ripped a shot that Alex Kilroy sprawled out for, making the diving stop, keeping the game tied at 1-1.

Nazareth had a chance in the first overtime on a run by Paul Pacito. He fed a ball that was just out of the sliding Matt Elliot.

The game ended tied 1-1 after two overtime sessions. RIT and Nazareth are co-champions of the Empire 8 Tournament.