ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Oct. 28, 2006) -- Sophomore Troy Gotham (pictured, Mynderse Academy/Seneca Falls, NY) scored on a diving header just over five minutes into the first overtime period Saturday to lift Nazareth to a 3-2 victory over visiting Union in men's soccer.

The non-conference victory at Golden Flyer Stadium enabled Nazareth to close its regular-season schedule in successful fashion at 12-4-1 overall. Union is 9-5-3.

Nazareth had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but couldn't hold on through the end of regulation as Union forced overtime on Tripp Pietrak's second goal of the game with less than six minutes to play in regulation.

Ed Babcock (Geneseo HS/Geneseo, NY) scored first for Nazareth at 7:09 as he headed in a free kick from the foot of Philip Holmberg (Malmo, Sweden). Union tied the score early in the second half as Pietrak converted a pass from teammate Paul Angelo.

Nazareth went ahead again in the 52nd minute on a goal by Andrew Wirfel (South Glens Falls HS/Gansevoort, NY), who scored his third goal of the season off an assist from Scott Cavanaugh (Holley HS/Brockport, NY). The score stayed 2-1 until Pietrak scored again for Union at 84:20.

Union had an opportunity early in overtime, but a shot by Angelo was saved by Nazareth keeper Alex Kilroy. Nazareth, meanwhile, converted its first chance as Chris Löfgren deked a Union defender along the endline and crossed a pass to Gotham, who headed in the game-winner for the first goal of his career.

Nazareth plays again Wednesday in the semifinals of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament at Ithaca at 1 p.m. RIT hosts Alfred in the other semifinal with the winners meeting Saturday for the conference title.