ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Oct. 25, 2006) -- Nazareth and RIT completed their respective Empire 8 Conference schedules for men's soccer Wednesday as the teams battled to a 0-0 tie at Golden Flyer Stadium. Both teams will continue their seasons next week in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament.

RIT had already clinched first place in the conference before Wednesday's game and now stands at 5-0-1 in the E8 and 7-6-2 overall. Nazareth clinched third place with the tie and now stands at 3-2-1 in conference games and 11-4-1 overall.

RIT will host Alfred in the first round of the E8 Tournament next Wednesday. Nazareth will visit second-place Ithaca. The E8 championship game is Nov. 4. Nazareth has one regular-season game left -- Saturday at home against Union at 3 p.m.

Against RIT, Nazareth outshot the Tigers 14-8 and had a 7-5 edge in corner kicks. Nazareth had 10 of its shots in the first half, but RIT keeper Alan Smith made six of his eight saves in the first 45 minutes. Nazareth's Justin Stevens had two chances in the first half, but both were saved by Smith, including a header that was pushed over the crossbar. Nazareth's Andrew Wirfel also had a shot that deflected off the right goal post.

In the second half, Justino Flores had Nazareth's best scoring chance, but his low shot was saved by Smith. RIT's best opportunity came with about 13 minutes left in regulation on a blast by Jeff Diaz that was pushed over the crossbar by Nazareth goalie Alex Kilroy (pictured), who made five saves for his sixth shutout of the season and 17th of his career.