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Men's soccer falls to Nazareth in regular season finale

By: Stephen Jaynes - Sports Information Director
2009

Men's Soccer | 10/31/2009 3:40:36 PM

Click for Box Score

ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT (8-7-1, 5-2-0 E8) men's soccer team was defeated 1-0 by Empire 8 rival Nazareth College (10-4-2, 5-0-2 E8) in the regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon. With a win the Tigers would have clinched the Empire 8 regular season title. With the loss the Tigers can finish no worse than third in the standings depending on the outcome between Utica and Stevens.

After a scoreless first half, the Tigers generated a great scoring chance early in the second half. Senior Jeff Diaz (Brentwood, NY/Brentwood) headed a shot off a cross from David Vogt (Rochester, NY/McQuaid), only a diving, finger-tip save by Nazareth goalkeeper Ryan Platt, kept the game scoreless. The Tigers held the momentum for most of the second half, firing five shot.

The Golden Flyers responded in the latter part of the second half, generating several good scoring chances. Ben Frazier (Westminster, MD/Westminster) made a great diving save off a shot from Alex Manchev. He also tipped a shot over the corss bar late in the half to keep the game scoreless on a shot from Rikesh Kotak.

Nazareth struck in the 82nd minute. Manchev scored off an assist from Mohammed Ahamed to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead. The goal came off a corner kick. The Tigers looked to clear the ball free but Ahamed sent the ball back into the box. Manchev gathered the loose ball and back-heeled a shot into the lower right corner for the game-winner.

RIT was out shot by Nazareth 15-10. The Tigers took four corner kicks to six for the Golden Flyers. RIT committed 14 fouls to 11 for Nazareth.

Ben Frazier (Westminster, MD/Westminster), despite his fine performance, took the loss for RIT, allowing one goal and making four saves. Ryan Platt picked up the win for Nazareth, making four saves.

RIT awaits their fate in the Empire 8 tournament. With a loss by Stevens the Tigers will lock the second seed and host Stevens. If the Ducks defeat Utica College RIT drops to the third seed and will face Stevens in Hoboken, New Jersey.