An early lead for the St. John Fisher College men's lacrosse program didn't hold up, as the Cardinals dropped a 9-8 decision at Nazareth College in a pivotal Empire 8 Conference matchup.

With the loss, Fisher falls to 10-4 overall and 4-2 in the Empire 8, while Nazareth moves to 7-8, 4-2.    The winner of Saturday's game between Fisher and Utica College will earn the final spot in the Empire 8 Conference Championship.   Fisher will host the Pioneers at 1 p.m.

Nazareth scored the game's first game 2:30 in, but Fisher scored the next four goals and led 4-1 less than six minutes into the game.    The Golden Flyers rallied and tied the game up at 4s before Fisher took a 5-4 lead on a goal from Kyle Denhoff late in the first quarter.

Both teams managed only one goal in the second quarter, as the Cardinals took a 6-5 lead at the half.

Nazareth tied the game up at 6s, 7s and 8s going into the fourth quarter and scored the only goal of the final period with 6:20 left.

For Fisher,  Bryan Dyer led the Cardinals with three points on two goals and one assist, while Denhoff added two goals.  Connor Henderson, Mike Byrnes, Eric Klein and Michael Boisvert also scored.   Mitch Ritchie picked up one assist.

Ryan Freije won 12-of-17 faceoffs and led the Cardinals with 11 ground balls.

Jamie Campagna made nine saves in goal.