WASHINGTON, Pa. – For the fourth time in program history, the St. John Fisher College field hockey team will play in the Empire 8 title game after the second-seeded Cardinals came from behind on Friday to down third-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology, 4-1, in the semifinal round of the conference championship at Cameron Stadium.  With the win, Fisher, which has now posted seven consecutive victories, moved to 15-4 and will take on top-seeded and nationally-ranked Washington and Jefferson at 1 p.m. on Saturday with the Empire 8 crown and a berth into the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship on the line.

After falling behind by a goal in the 15th minute of play, Fisher began to take over as the first half wore on and outshot the Ducks, 6-1, but would head into halftime facing a one-goal deficit.

The Cardinals' momentum carried over to begin the second half as Fisher notched the equalizer just two minutes into the period when Bre Socker blasted a shot that was deflected into the goal by Reghan Amoroso to knot things up at 1-1.

The score remained deadlocked for the next 10 minutes until Talia Scarfino dropped a pass for Socker who uncorked her 20th goal of the season to put Fisher on top, 2-1.

The Cardinals continued to force the action and extended their lead to two goals in the 54th minute when Socker found Lauren Fazio for her team-leading 23rd goal as head coach Victoria Bothner's squad went up, 3-1.

As the half ticked down, Fisher's attack proved to be overwhelming as Gianna Palma capped off the Cardinals' four-goal flurry with her sixth tally on the season in the 68th minute with Fazio picking up an assist on the play.

Fisher's offensive output wasn't the only story, however, as its defense smothered Stevens all game and allowed just eight shots in all.  Ashley Maynard picked up her 15th win of the season in goal as the Rochester native made three saves in 70 minutes of play.  Lindsay Scott and Meagan McDonald each had a defensive save in the win.

The Cardinals took 17 shots in the win with Socker and Palma leading the charge with five shots apiece.  Fazio and Amoroso had three to their credit while Alyssa Andres had one shot on the day.