Bird's Eye View - 2019 Men's Soccer

It’s not always about how it begins, but rather how it ends. Nothing holds truer for the men of St. John Fisher College soccer.

After starting the season in a slump, Fisher adjusted which resulted in a 2-1-3 record over its final six games. In that span, the Cardinals allowed just three goals and recorded three clean sheets. In all, four were named All-Conference by the Empire 8 to close out the season. 

The future looks bright with the announcement that Jack Burgasser has been named the team’s head coach after having a successful career at the University of Rochester. 

Here are the top moments from Fisher’s season:

Jan. 27, 2020: Burgasser Hired to Lead Men's Soccer Program

Following a national search, St. John Fisher College Director of Athletics, Bob Ward, has announced that Jack Burgasser will become the seventh coach to lead the Cardinals' men's soccer program since its inception in 1962.

"The hiring of Jack Burgasser is an exciting step forward for the College's Department of Athletics and the men's soccer program," stated Ward who has served as Fisher's Director of Athletics for more than 30 years.  "Jack is very well credentialed, has vast experience, is extremely detailed in his approach to his profession, and is an excellent leader.  We are very pleased to welcome Jack to our Fisher athletic family."

Burgasser, who has deep ties to the Rochester area and Western New York, brings over a decade of experience coaching at an elite level including the last six seasons at the University of Rochester where he served as an assistant coach since 2014.  During his tenure, Rochester developed into one of the premier programs in Division III.  In all, the Yellowjackets qualified for the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship five times over the last six seasons and advanced to the second round or better four times overall.

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Aug. 28, 2019: Men's Soccer Ready To Make Waves in 2019

Redemption. That's what the St. John Fisher College Men's Soccer team seeks as the Cardinals open the 2019 season at SUNY Geneseo on Friday, August 30 at 7 p.m.
 
After winning four games and making an Empire 8 Tournament appearance last season, the Cardinals are filled with youthful anticipation as they look to fill the shoes of last year's large senior class.  This year's squad will be an even mix of returners and newcomers as a handful of starting jobs are up for grabs.

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Sept. 21, 2019: Witman Scores Golden Goal As Men's Soccer Edges Hartwick In Overtime

A 96th-minute goal decided the St. John Fisher College men's soccer team's first conference matchup of the season as the Cardinals won their first match of the season at Growney Stadium over the Hartwick Hawks, 3-2. With the win, Fisher improved to 1-6 overall and 1-0 in the Empire 8, while the Hawks dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
 
In the teams' first ever meeting, the Cardinals struck early to put themselves in the driver's seat. In just the ninth minute, Justin Bonetto broke away from the Hawks' defense and fed a right-side ball to Brennan Brown who rung the back of the Hartwick net. The score marked the sophomore's first goal of the season.

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Oct. 7, 2019: Brown Scores Golden Goal Penalty Kick as Cardinals Soar Past Alfred State

The St. John Fisher College men's soccer team defeated the Alfred State Pioneers 1-0 in a 98-minute non-conference matchup on Monday night under a cotton candy sky at Growney Stadium. With the victory, the Cardinals improved to 2-8-1 overall while the Pioneers dropped to 0-10.
 
Fisher dominated offensive play for the majority of regulation as the Cardinals controlled field position and were awarded nine corner kicks as opposed to Alfred State's two. As a result, Fisher was able to uncork 15 shots in the first 90 minutes, although none met the back of the net.
 
Head coach Justin Ferron's back line of Aaron Wilkins, Shea Lynch, Stephen Guidi, and Tim Brown was so solid that it only allowed seven shots in regulation, and only three of those shots were on line with Cardinals' keeper, Justin Miles. Miles saved every shot that came his way for a day save percentage of 1.000.

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Oct. 12, 2019: Woolingham Scores First Collegiate Goal as Men's Soccer Downs Sage

One goal was all that the St. John Fisher College men's soccer team needed to knock off Sage in conference play at ACP Field as the Cardinals took home a 1-0 victory. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 3-8-1 overall and 1-1-1 in the Empire 8 while the Gators dropped to 6-6 on the year and 1-3 in the conference. 

The Cardinals came out strong as the offense produced seven shots in the first 45 minutes as opposed to the Gators' five. 

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Oct. 19, 2019: Men's Soccer Earns Draw in Wild Game Against Nazareth

The St. John Fisher College men's soccer team tied with Nazareth College by a score of 1-1 in the annual "Battle of the Beaks" at Growney Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The game was highlighted by three red cards, two for the Golden Flyers and one for the Cardinals.
 
Fisher moves to 3-8-3 overall and 1-1-2 in the Empire 8 while extending its unbeaten streak to four games. Nazareth, who sits at the top of the league standings, is now 10-2-2 on the year with a 3-0-1 record in conference play.

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Oct. 26, 2019: Men's Soccer Extends Unbeaten Streak To Five Games With Tie At Elmira

The St. John Fisher College men's soccer team traveled down to Elmira College for an Empire 8 conference contest at the Soaring Eagles' Campus Field on Saturday. Fisher and Elmira played to a 1-1 draw after two overtimes of play.
 
Sophomore Justin Bonetto scored the lone tally for the Cardinals. Senior Justin Miles spent all 110 minutes in between the pipes while making three saves for Fisher. The Cardinals, who extended their unbeaten streak to five games, move to 3-8-3 overall and 1-1-3 in conference play. The Soaring Eagles record is now 9-4-3 and 2-1-2 in E8 action. Fisher currently stands in the fourth and final playoff spot with one game remaining.

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Nov. 13, 2019: Four From Men's Soccer Named All-Conference by the Empire 8

With the 2019 season in the books, the Empire 8 has announced that four members of the St. John Fisher College men's soccer team have been named All-Conference as announced on Wednesday.  Sophomore Justin Bonetto was named Second-Team All-Conference while second-year man Brennan Brown along with seniors Aaron Wilkins and Shea Lynch were each named Honorable Mention All-Empire 8.

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June 17, 2020: Men's Soccer Announces Highly-Touted Incoming Class

With a new head coach at the helm for the first time in nearly 25 years, the St. John Fisher College men's soccer team piloted by Jack Burgasser has announced its newest recruiting class as the Cardinals head into the 2020 season with high expectations.

In all, Fisher will welcome eight new student-athletes to a roster that already boasted a wealth of talent at every position.

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