Field Hockey | 9/1/2015 8:42:00 PM

The St. John Fisher College field hockey program dropped a 4-1 decision on Tuesday to No. 5 Skidmore College in the season opener for both teams.

The host Thoroughbreds, ranked fifth in the national coaches preseason poll, struck early, putting the home side in front 6:50 into the contest.
 
The Cardinals, however, answered back quickly with an equalizer from freshman Lauren Fazio just under three minutes later. Gabby LaForce led a Fisher counter attack, dribbling into the circle before picking out Fazio alone on the back post for a tap-in into an empty net.
 
After 20 scoreless minutes, Skidmore produced what proved to be the game-winner, firing a shot into the bottom left corner to but the Thoroughbreds up 2-1 at the break and added two more goals in the second half.
 
Skidmore outshot the Cardinals 21-10 and had a 10-2 edge in penalty corners. Senior goalie Danielle Famolaro turned away 12 shots in goal for Fisher.
 
Fisher returns to action with two home games this weekend.  The Cardinals will host Denison University on Saturday and Oberlin College on Sunday.  Both games will start at 1 p.m. at Fisher's Growney Stadium.