PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College field hockey team stayed perfect for the 2019 season with a 4-1 victory against St. Lawrence University at Growney Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Gianna Palma tallied two goals while Bre Socker scored one and added two assists as the Cardinals moved to 2-0 while the Saints dropped to 1-3.
 
As the first quarter got underway, neither offense was able to generate any solid scoring opportunities as Fisher's defense did not allow a single shot in the opening frame. The scoreless trend did not continue into the second period, however, as Socker sent the ball to the front of the net and Palma was there to put her stick on it and chip it home for her first goal of the season.
 
Trailing by a goal early in the second stanza, St. Lawrence would respond quickly as the crowd still celebrated Palma's tally when the Saints sent a strike that tied the game at one goal aside. That score would carry over into halftime with the Cardinals leading the shot total, 9-1.
 
Fisher would regain the lead late in the third quarter when Palma came around from the outside and sent it past the defenders in front to Lindsay Scott who had the easy put in for her first goal of the season. The Cardinals kept the pressure on heading into the final quarter and Socker finally broke through for her first score of the game off a deflection that was sent in by Jess Snyder.
 
The Saints looked to be wearing down late as Fisher played much of the game in the offensive zone. Palma netted her second of the day with Socker setting her up again to stake the home team to a three-goal edge, 4-1. The Cardinals were able to milk the clock the rest of the way to take home the win.
 
Fisher ended up with 22 shots overall with nine of them on net. Socker led the way with 12 shots and five on goal. The Cardinals' defensive line of Madison Breward, Meagan McDonald and Reghan Amoroso stood tall all game while allowing only three shots.  Goaltender Kelly Bergamo (2-0) made two saves over 60 minutes.
 
The Cardinals continue their four-game home stand with SUNY Geneseo coming to town at 7 p.m. on Wednesday for a battle under the lights of Growney Stadium. In last year's matchup, Fisher pulled out an overtime victory at the Knights' home field by a score of 2-1.