UTICA, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's soccer squad earned its third-straight Empire 8 win following an 86th minute goal to secure a 2-1 victory at Utica College on Wednesday afternoon at Gaetano Stadium. The Cardinals improved to 7-4 overall and 3-1 within conference with the performance, while they pushed the host Pioneers to 6-5 on the year and 2-2 in the Empire 8.
 
Jessica Aldred found herself open in transition early in the contest, as the senior sent a pass to classmate, Carli Kovarik, who rocketed her Empire 8-leading ninth goal past the Utica keeper in the game's 19th minute. Kovarik's .818 goals per game average leads the league, but is also tied for the lead in total points with 20 (nine goals, two assists) on the year.
 
Less than 10 minutes later, the Pioneers found themselves in a position to equalize, as they came out on top in a one-on-one situation. With the score knotted at one, the Cardinals defense of Aldred, Jennifer Kirker, Lakin Woodward, and Camryn Weller hunkered down and limited the hosts to just three shots for the remainder of the contest.
 
Fisher played a deadlocked next 58 minutes, until the visitors found themselves free once more as Emma Osterhoudt laced up the game-winning tally – her third goal of the year and second in as many games – in the match's 86th minute.
 
Halle Tickell, despite giving up the lone goal, made five saves between the pipes on nine shots faced. Her record in goal improves to 6-3.
 
The Cardinals scattered 19 shots in the contest, with seven of them coming from the likes of Kovarik. Emma Spelman notched three attempts while Kayla Rhude took a pair. The remainder of the attempts were split by Aldred, Siobhan McMakin, Osterhoudt, Tori Cruz, Isabella Peracchi, and Kyra Kenyon.
 
Fisher has a week's rest before the team travels down East Avenue for an Empire 8 tilt with the Nazareth Golden Flyers at 4 P.M. on Wednesday, October 20.