BOX SCORE

The St. John Fisher College women's soccer team scored three second-half goals to storm back from a 1-0 deficit at intermission to earn a 3-2 victory in a pivotal Empire 8 matchup against Utica College, Saturday afternoon at Growney Stadium.

Prior to the match, Fisher celebrated senior day as it recognized Laura Burgstrom, Chelsea Oberkrieser, Val Hanson, Danielle McHarris, Krista Pilla, Katie Burgstrom and Alexandra Rohloff for their contributions to the program.

The Pioneers opened the scoring, netting their first attempt in the sixth minute, sneaking a deflected ball past Fisher goalkeeper, Brooke Seavitt.

Despite the early deficit, the Cardinals were the aggressors in first half, outshooting the Pioneers 14-4, but were unable to score. Fisher's best opportunity came in the 18^th minute when Chelsea Oberkrieser broke away from the Utica defense and took Pioneer goalkeeper Jamie Enders. Oberkrieser's shot deflected off the goalie's hands and narrowly slid by the far post, preserving Utica's advantage.

Fisher's continuous pressure finally paid off early in second half as seniors Oberkrieser and Rohloff showed off their chemistry. In the 47^th minute, Oberkrieser corralled a deflected ball off a Utica defender on the left flank and quickly passed to Rohloff who tapped in the game-tying goal. Moments later, Oberkrieser and Rohloff teamed up again in similar fashion to take a 2-1 lead.

Molly Beaton scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 56th minute, making it 3-1/

Utica cut into Fisher's advantage with a goal in the 79^th minute, but the Cardinals were able to waste away the final minutes of play to secure the victory.

Seavitt finished the match with four saves for Fisher.

With the victory Fisher improves to 8-8 overall and 3-1 in the Empire 8, while Utica falls to 3-9-2 and 1-5.

Fisher hits the road for their next matchup at 3 p.m. on Wednesday as the Cardinals take on Empire 8 rival Nazareth College.