CLEARWATER, Fla. – The St. John Fisher College men's lacrosse team was victorious in its season opener as the team downed Emmanuel College, 12-7, at Phillips Jones Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The win brings the team's record to 1-0 on the season while the Saints fall to 1-2.

After Emmanuel put a goal in 2:30 into the opening stanza, Fisher responded with two of its own. Andrew Rosso scored the first goal of the season as he sank one unassisted at the 9:41 mark. That was followed by a Dante Giordano tally as Jarett Duchesneau found him open for the score.

The Saints notched one to tie it up late in the first but the second quarter was all Fisher. Zach Wagner got the scoring going as he recorded back-to-back goals in the first seven minutes. The Cardinals then found themselves up a man as Emmanuel took a penalty and Drew Brown made them pay with a goal of his own. TJ VanDeusen then opened up his career night as he tallied one with just under four minutes in the half.

Fisher matched its second quarter total in the third as the VanDeusen netted two more while Mitch Rein and Rosso tallied one apiece.

With the score 10-3 going into the the final period, Emmanuel made an attempt at a comeback, scoring two early. Fisher answered the call again though as Nick Papayanakos joined the scoresheet and VanDeusen ripped home his fourth of the day. Emmanuel bookended the quarter with two at the end but the effort wasn't enough, leaving Fisher on the winning end.

On the defensive end, Rein had a solid day as he caused two turnovers and scooped up four loose balls. Matt Raap also pitched in with two caused turnovers of his own.

Tanner Swan got the start between the pipes for Fisher, making six saves in just over 56 minutes. He was relieved by Justin Townsend, who played the final 3:41, making one save.

Fisher will return to action at 12 p.m. on Thursday as the team will square off against DeSales University.