The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College women's lacrosse program held on for a 9-8 win over William Smith College on Tuesday at Fisher's Growney Stadium.

With the win, Fisher, ranked No. 15 in the latest national coaches poll, improves to 6-0 for the first time in the program's 17-year history.

Fisher jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first eight minutes, but the Herons tightened up the defense and made it a 4-4 game at the half.

Fisher's Jamie Wallace scored the first of three goals just 2:23 into the second half to give her team a 5-4 lead, but William Smith scored the next two goals over the next three minutes to take their first lead of the game at 6-5 with 24 minutes left.

The Herons led 7-6 midway through the second half, before Fisher scored two goals in a 46-second span to take the lead for good on a Chrissy Cook goal with 12:51 left.

Cori Holbrook scored a man-up goal with 3:11 left to put Fisher up 9-7 with 3:11, but the game was far from over. William Smith scored with 1:56 left to make it a one-goal game. Fisher's Olivia Marziale won the ensuing draw, but the Cardinals couldn't kill the clock, as a Fisher shot with 23 seconds left was stopped. The Herons countered and nearly forced overtime, but a potential game-tying shot clanged off the crossbar with seven seconds left.

Wallace finished with a career-high three goals, while Holbrook tallied three points on one goal and two assists. She also led Fisher with four draw controls.
Seniors Sierra Badger and Cook each finished with two goals, while Kelsie Schindler also scored.

Goalie Hayley Peets stopped eight shots, including five in the second half, and earned her sixth victory of the year.

Fisher returns to action at 4 p.m. on Friday and will host Alfred University in the Empire 8 Conference season opener for both teams.