Top-seeded St. John Fisher College won the program's first ever Empire 8 Conference Field Hockey Championship on Saturday, as the Cardinals held on for a 2-1 win over Washington & Jefferson College at Fisher's Growney Stadium.

With the win, Fisher (18-2) advances to the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time in the program's six-year history.  The Cardinals have now won 17 straight games and will find out who, when and where they will play on Sunday night.  Pairings for the 24-team NCAA Championship are scheduled to be announced late Sunday night at ncaa.com.

Junior Emily Markarian was named as the Championship's Most Outstanding Player.  After scoring both of her team's goals in yesterday's 2-1 overtime-win over Stevens Institute of Technology, Markarian scored the eventual game-winning goal midway through the second half to put her team up 2-0.  

The Presidents (15-4) got on the board with 2;52 remaining, capitalizing on a penalty stroke to make it a one-goal game, but the Fisher defense did its part and kept W&J off the board during the closing moments.

Fisher took a 1-0 lead at the half as Lauren Fazio scored her 13th goal of the season on a penalty stroke in the 22nd minute.

Ashley Maynard earned the win in goal for Fisher, making 11 saves over the 70 minutes.  Alexandrea Malley was also credited with a defensive save.

"We've worked diligently all season long and the entire team has played as a unit with no regrets," said head coach Victoria Bothner.  "That has been the attitude since the preseason.  We have the right players and with right chemistry."