NAZARETH EDGES RIT IN OVERTIME, 13-12
Kyle Purcell scores game-winner as Golden Flyers move to 11-1
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (April 14, 2007) -- Recognized more as a short-stick defender than an offensive threat, senior midfielder Kyle Purcell (pictured) picked a good time to score his first goal of the season.

Purcell scored unassisted with 1:49 left in overtime Saturday as Nazareth defeated host RIT in an emotionally spirited Empire 8 Conference men's lacrosse game, 13-12.

Nazareth, ranked seventh nationally, snapped a three-game losing streak against the second-ranked Tigers and improved to 11-1 overall and 5-0 in the Empire 8. The victory was Nazareth's fourth one-goal triumph and second overtime win of the season. RIT, which lost to Ithaca last Wednesday, is 10-2 overall and 3-2 in conference games.

Nazareth had leads of 9-5 and 10-6 in the second half, but could not hold on as RIT rallied to tie the score 10-10 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, RIT was credited with two goals in a 43-second span to take a 12-11 lead with 3:15 left. Andrew Ruocco received credit for the second goal even though Nazareth defender Ryan Conley inadvertently tossed the ball behind goalie Pat Mullin during a clearing attempt.

With the clock winding down toward the end of regulation, Nazareth's Kevin Kimball tied the score with 32 seconds left off an assist from freshman Erinn O'Hara.

In overtime, Chad Amidon won the face-off for Nazareth, but a shot by Kimball was saved by RIT goalie John Foley. After an RIT timeout, Conley forced a loose ball and Purcell collected the ground ball and ran it down the field. When no defender slid his way on defense, Purcell fired a low shot that beat Foley for the game-winning score.

"I would normally look to give up the ball there, but I saw I had a chance for a good shot," said Purcell, who now has six career goals.

Amidon, O'Hara and Conor O'Keefe scored for Nazareth in the opening quarter as Nazareth built a 3-1 lead. Senior attackman Ryan Hotaling scored all three of his goals and added an assist on a goal by Kimball in the second quarter as Nazareth extended its lead to 8-5. Junior Steve Cutia contributed a man-up goal in that quarter.

Brian Lissner and Amidon scored for Nazareth in the third quarter, but four straight RIT goals, including two from Eric Pritchard tied the scored at 10-10 with 15 minutes to play.

RIT had a 39-36 edge in shots and Nazareth collected 47 ground balls to RIT's 43. The Tigers had a 19-10 advantage in face-offs. Mullin made 11 saves for Nazareth and Foley made 13 for RIT.

Nazarteth plays two home games this week -- Tuesday vs. Keuka at 4 p.m. and Friday vs. Ithaca at 5 p.m.