PITTSFORD, NY—The AU women's soccer team fell to the #22 Nazareth Golden Flyers 6-1 in the Tuesday night Empire 8 match up.
 
The Saxons looked to compete with the Golden Flyers by putting out a solid defensive effort in the early going.  Freshman Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South) had five saves in the first 22 minutes of the game, keeping the Saxons deadlocked with the Naz offensive powerhouse.
 
The Golden Flyers finally broke through the defense for a goal in the 23^rd minute off a Christine Belding goal.  Six minutes later, Briana Vibbard added a goal to the Naz effort.  With the second goal on the board the Saxons returned to their fantastic defensive output for the rest of the half only allowing one more shot on goal.  The half would end 2-0 in favor of the Golden Flyers.
 
Nazareth came out of the intermission looking to increase their lead and added two more goals increase their lead to 4-0.  However, the Saxons returned fire in the 72^nd minute, maintaining their incredible set-piece play, with another goal from a corner kick.  The ball was sent in by Keturah Gordon (Boston, MA/Boston Latin) who found the senior Taylor Dezio (Marion, NY/Marion) launching the ball into the goalmouth for her first goal on the season. 
 
In the 76^th minute, the Saxons gave Naz a chance to increase the goal total with a penalty kick by Tori Ryan.  The Golden Flyers added another goal in the 88^th minute to increase the lead to 6-1.

Shanahan finished the evening with 11 saves.  Naz held the advantage in corner kicks 5-1. 

The Saxons (3-11-2 Empire 8 0-7-0) close out Empire 8 play on Saturday, Oct., 25^th against Elmira College.