PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's soccer team grinded out a victory in a close battle with Empire 8 Conference opponent Hartwick College, 2-1. The Cardinals moved to 5-3-2 overall and jumped to a 1-1-1 conference record. The Hawks of Hartwick dropped to 6-4-1 and fell to 2-2 in the Empire 8.

It did not take long for the Cardinals to get on the board as freshman Carli Kovarik found the back of the net in just the 18th minute of play.

However, Hartwick would answer just shy of the 25th minute as a Hawk slipped a ball just past Fisher goalkeeper Melissa McGowan.

Fisher rounded out the first 45 minutes with eight total shots, three of which were on net as the teams headed into the locker room knotted at one goal apiece. Kovarik led the squad with six shots, while Tara Marcello and Isabelle DeStefano each added one apiece.

Kovarik would do it again for the Cardinals in the 62nd minute as the Liverpool native broke away from the Hartwick defense and netted her second goal of the game. The freshman leads the Cardinals and is tied for second in the Empire 8 Conference with seven total goals so far this season.

The second goal proved to be the game winner as the Fisher defense fended off the Hartwick offense and the Cardinals earned their first Empire 8 victory of the 2018 season.

Fisher finished with 12 total shots as Kovarik tallied eight of her own on the day.

McGowan was credited with the win in net as the senior registered three saves in the game before Kayla Shutts came in to relieve her late in the game.

The Cardinals step back onto the pitch at 7 p.m. on Tuesday as Fisher is slated to take on the Fredonia Blue Devils at University Stadium in non-conference play.