The St. John Fisher College women's lacrosse team outscored Stevens Institute of Technology 11-7 over the game's final 45 minutes, but couldn't overcome an early 6-0 deficit, as the Cardinals dropped a 13-11 decision to the host Ducks in a pivotal Empire 8 Conference game between two of the country's top teams.
With the loss, Fisher, ranked 24th nationally, falls to 7-5 overall and 2-3 in the Empire 8, while Stevens, ranked ninth nationally, improves to 11-2, 6-0.
Fisher pulled to within two goals on seven different occasions in the second half, but never pulled any closer. The Cardinals, who trailed 6-2 at intermission, scored two goals in a nine-second span in the opening moments of the second half to make it 6-4. But every time Fisher scored, the Ducks answered, as the two teams exchanged goals for the next 20 minutes.
Fisher's Melissa Leonhard scored her fourth goal of the game off a pass from Mary Stimson with 3:48 left to make it 13-11, but the Cardinals never attempted another shot after that.
Leonhard led Fisher with four goals and five draw controls. Meg Merriam scored three times, while Jackie Maynard and Taylor Hughes both finished with three points on two goals and one assist.
Marykate Edmunds led Fisher with five ground balls and three caused turnovers. Shannon McDermott also caused three turnovers.
Caroline Trpcevski stopped five shots in goal.
Fisher will return to action at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Hartwick College.
