The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College women's lacrosse program won its Empire 8 Conference season opener on Saturday, as the No. 17 Cardinals pushed their winning streak to five games with a  13-6 victory over visiting Ithaca College.

Saturday's game was a rematch of each of the last three Empire 8 Conference Championships – all of which were won by Fisher – but it's the first time the Cardinals have beaten Ithaca in the regular-season since 2009.  

With the win,  Fisher improves to 5-1 overall, while Ithaca falls to 2-4 overall, 0-1 Empire 8.

Ithaca took a 1-0 lead in the first three minutes, but Fisher's Samantha Barton and Jordan Johnson scored back-to-back goal in a two-minute span to put the Cardinals up for good with 22:41 left in the first half.  

Fisher led 3-2 with just over 10 minutes in the first, but scored the final three goals of the half, including Johnson's third of the day with six seconds remaining, to put the Cardinals up 6-2 at the break.

It was back and forth for most of the second half.   The Bombers pulled to within three goals at 9-6 with just over 11 minutes left, but the Cardinals closed out the game with a 4-0 run.

Freshman Kennedy Frink led the Cardinals with five points on one goal and four assists, while Johnson tallied four points on four goals.  Sierra Badger scored all three of her goals in the second half, while Barton finished with two goals and one assist, while leading her team with five draw controls and three ground balls.

Seniors Lindsey Shoales and Erin Ward each scored a goal, while Chrissy Cook (one goal) and Cori Holbrook (one assist) also registered a point.

Junior goalie Nicole Hart earned the win in goal, tallying five saves.

Fisher returns to action at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and will host SUNY Fredonia.