PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College field hockey team won its Empire 8 opener on Saturday as the Cardinals cruised to a 3-0 decision over visiting Utica College inside Growney Stadium.  With the win, Fisher improved to 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in the conference standings while the Pioneers dipped to 2-8, 1-1, respectively. 

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Cardinals' offense went to work as Danilla Casseri threaded the needle to Bre Socker who poked one past the Utica keeper to make it 1-0 in the home team's favor.

Coming out of the halftime break, Fisher continued to keep its foot on the gas as Jess Snyder centered a pass from the end line that Reghan Amoroso deposited into the back of the net to double the Cardinals' lead, 2-0.

As the third period wore on, Fisher made the Pioneer's defense work after the Cardinals had two shots turned aside.  Already ahead by two goals, Socker unleashed a strike that went down as a defensive save.  With the ball loose in front of the cage, Utica attempted to clear the ball only to have Lindsay Scott steal the ball and bury it in the back of the net to stake head coach Victoria Bothner's team to a three-goal cushion.

In the final period, the Pioneers were stymied at every turn as the Cardinals' defense yielded just one shot en route to their second straight shutout.

As a team, Fisher was credited with 22 shots led by Socker who finished with 10 on the day.  Scott had eight shots in the win while Amoroso chipped in with two shots in all.

In goal, senior Kelly Bergamo moved to 6-1 with the win after the Liverpool native made seven saves over 60 minutes of play.

The Cardinals will look to make it three in a row at 7 p.m. on Tuesday when they host the University of Rochester in a cross-town matchup at Growney Stadium.