Box Score

The fourth-seeded St. John Fisher College field hockey team struck first, but saw second-seeded Utica College score five straight goals en route to a 5-2 victory in the Empire 8 Championship game Sunday in Hoboken, New Jersey.  With the win, Utica advances to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Cardinals, competing in just their third season as an NCAA Division III program, finish the year with the school's highest ever win total with 10.  Fisher finishes the season at 10-10 overall and 5-4 in the Empire 8, while Utica improves to 16-4 and 8-1 respectively.

The Cardinals struck first off a penalty corner 13 minutes into the contest.  Alexis Zakala gathered the ball at the top of the circle firing a shot towards goal, which was deflected inside the left post by Caitlin Allen for her first goal of the season.  It was Allen's first goal in 36 games, after the junior led Fisher in goals in her freshman campaign with five.

Utica was able to knot up the score 1-1 at the 20 minute mark as Hannah Mackey found the net for her 17th goal of the season.

The Pioneers, who outshot Fisher 17-4 in the first half, were able to break through again at the 30:21 mark off a penalty corner to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Utica was able to open up the game in the second half early on with Mackey scoring her second goal of the game just 13 seconds into the period to take the 3-1 lead.

The second-seeded Pioneers pushed their lead to 5-1, scoring back-to-back goals less than five minutes apart, with the latter coming at the 46:29 mark.

Liz Baldwin found the back of the net for Fisher on a penalty stroke with under 10 minutes to play in the game, but that was as close as the Cardinals would come.

Danielle Famolaro finished with seven saves in net for Fisher.