ROCHESTER, NY – Host Nazareth built an early first-period lead Sunday against Manhattanville and the Golden Flyers went on to take a 3-2 men's hockey victory in the teams' regular-season finale at the Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex.

Nazareth closed the regular season with a 9-14-2 overall record and an 8-9-1 mark in United Collegiate Hockey Conference games. The Golden Flyers stand in fifth place in the league standings and will visit fourth-place Chatham Wednesday for a first-round game in the UCHC playoffs at a time to be determined. The victory enabled Nazareth to complete a weekend sweep of conference games as the Golden Flyers also defeated Neumann, 6-4, on Saturday.

Manhattanville dropped to 9-12-3 overall and 6-9-3 in the UCHC. The Valiants finished the season in sixth place and will travel to third-place Stevenson for a first-round playoff game Wednesday.

Sunday's game was the final home game for Nazareth's six seniors, who were recognized before the game. Carmine Alberga, Mitch Culver, JT Entelisano, Ray Falso, Grant Gallo and Cole Moore wrapped up their home-ice careers.

Falso contributed an assist as well as his team-leading 10th goal of the season in the third period. The goal also was the 36th of his career, breaking the Nazareth record that was previously held by Nazareth assistant coach James McDonald.  

Nazareth played a highly energized first period with a 16-7 edge in shots on goal and the Golden Flyers capitalized twice to take an early advantage. First, Henry McKinney scored his seventh goal of the season and he banged in a rebound of a shot by Gallo, who assisted along with Joey Schaefer. Nick Charron scored Nazareth's second goal, his ninth of the season, with assists from Falso and Culver at 12:09.

The score went unchanged until the third period as the Golden Flyers were less than nine minutes away from completing the shutout. Manhattanville nixed that idea with a goal at 12:39, but Falso scored just 10 seconds later after Culver controlled the ensuing face-off. Falso gathered in a long pass from Culver and wristed a shot past Manhattanville netminder Reid Robertson for a 3-1 Nazareth advantage.

Manhattanville added its second goal about a minute later, but Nazareth was able to hold off the Valiants the rest of the way, including the final minute when Manhattanville pulled Robertson in favor of an extra skater.

Nazareth finished with a 32-30 edge in shots with Nazareth goalie Matt Sayles making 28 saves for his ninth win. Robertson had 29 saves.