Women's Soccer | 8/30/2017 10:07:00 AM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's soccer team is set to begin its season against Roanoke College on September 1st. Head coach Jill McCabe, who will be entering her 18th season at the helm, has led the Cardinals to the postseason four times in the last six seasons.

Fisher's defense will be anchored by returning senior and Empire 8 Conference Honorable Mention Nora Broderick. Broderick started in all 15 games in 2016 and led a defense that allowed just under two goals a game.

The Cardinals also expect leadership and solid production from 2014's Empire 8 Rookie of the Year selection, Jackie Romano. The veteran forward/midfielder started 14 out of 15 games last season and tallied one goal and three assists on the year.

Also aiding the offense this season is junior, transfer Hannah Buschner, as well as freshman, Kerri Orbach.

Returning to operate the middle of the pitch is junior Nicolle Pierce, who recorded two goals and registered eight total points in 2016. She is joined by juniors Tara Marcello, Isabelle DeStefano and Kara Bricker, as well as sophomores Emily Murray and Abigail Barr. Marcello and Murray played and started in all 15 games. DeStefano, Bricker and Barr all saw action in at least 13 matches apiece. They will also be joined by sophomore, Gabriella Borrelli.

Fisher will be looking for solid defensive play in 2017, with senior Alison Menges, junior Makenzie Winslow, and sophomores Lauren Collins and Kierra Duvall joining Nora Broderick in the backfield. Junior Melissa McGowan and freshman Lila Platt will be the last line of defense, seeing action at goalkeeper.

The Cardinals add plenty of new, young talent to their roster including freshmen midfielders Abigail Dwyer, Shiane Irwin, Logan Chase and Elise Olivo, as well as freshmen defenders, Chandler Stephany and Giana Aiello who are all expected to add growth and depth to the 2017 roster.  Sophomore Mia Tirabassi also joins the fold having played last year at the Division II level.

The 2017 schedule kicks off in Salem, Virginia where the team will face off against the Maroons of Roanoke College at 6:30 p.m. on September 1st. The following day the Cardinals will take on Lynchburg College at 3 p.m.

Fisher will continue on the road to face the Golden Eagles of The College at Brockport in a non-conference battle on September 7th at 4:30 p.m.

September 14th, marks the start of the Cardinals' longest home stand of the season when they take on Rochester Institute of Technology at Growney Stadium. Two days later, Fisher hosts Morrisville State, followed by Fredonia on September 19th before heading into Empire 8 play.

The Cardinals then take to the road again to battle former conference rival Ithaca College on September 27th. Three days later, Fisher will travel to The Sage Colleges in their first meeting as conference opponents.

On October 3rd, Fisher returns to Growney Stadium to host the University of Rochester at 7 p.m. Then the Pioneers of Utica come to town for a conference duel on October 7th at 12:30 p.m. The following day the team will host a second Empire 8 matchup against Stevens Institute of Technology.

The final two weeks of the regular season the Cardinals will be on the road for four out of their next five contests. Fisher takes on Wells College on October 12th before facing the Hawks of Hartwick and the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College on October 14th and October 18th, respectively. The Cardinals finish out their regular season home schedule on October 21st at 3 p.m. against Alfred University. Fisher closes out its 2017 regular season campaign with a bout versus Elmira College on October 24th at 3 p.m.

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