PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's soccer team secured a key Empire 8 Conference victory over the Sage Colleges, 3-1. With the win the Cardinals jumped to 6-4-2 overall and moved to 2-1-1 in the conference standings. After the loss the Gators dropped to 7-5-2 and fell to 2-2-1 in the Empire 8.

The Cardinals jumped out in front quick as Isabelle DeStefano crossed a ball into the eighteen yard box and eventually found the foot of Tara Marcello, who flicked the one timer into the back of the net for her first goal of the 2018 campaign.

The two teams traded shots for the duration of the first half. Melissa McGowan made a spectacular punch save in the 16th minute to keep the Cardinals in front by one goal headed into the second half of play.

Fisher totaled six shots in the first 45 minutes with Carli Kovarik leading the squad with three shot attempts.

The Cardinals did not show any signs of slowing down as Shiane Irwin notched her second goal of the season off her own rebound just one minute into the second half.

Less than two minutes later, Liverpool native Kovarik ripped a shot through the legs of the Sage goalkeeper to put the Cardinals out in front by three scores.

The Gators were able to slip a lone goal past Fisher in the 81st minute of play but the Cardinals held on to secure the crucial Empire 8 victory.

Fisher capped off the night with 15 total shots as Kovarik finished with a team-high six shot attempts. Irwin, Marcello and Abigail Barr all registered two shots apiece.

Senior goalkeeper McGowan notched her sixth win of the season and tallied four saves in the affair. Kayla Shutts saw 30 minutes of action and added four saves of her own, while Gabriella D'Ambrosio closed out the final eight minutes and picked up two saves.

The Cardinals return to the pitch at 7 p.m. on Wednesday as Fisher hosts East Avenue rival Nazareth College at Growney Stadium.