HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College men's soccer team handed Houghton College its first loss in Empire 8 action and evened its own conference record on Saturday after defeating the Highlanders, 2-0, behind goals from Justin Bonetto and Riley Rease at Burke Field.  With the win, Fisher improved to 3-6-2 on the year and 2-2-0 in league play while the Highlanders wrapped up their weekend at 5-9-0 overall and 4-1-0 against conference competition.

The Cardinals came out hot to start the game as Bonetto squared up a shot that sailed into the corner of the goal to give Fisher a 1-0 lead just five minutes in. 

Fisher would double its advantage in the 14th minute when Rease found space and unloaded a shot past the Highlanders' keeper to give Fisher a two-goal cushion heading into intermission.

As the second half got underway, Fisher's defense tightened up as it allowed just four shots on goal over the final 45 minutes of play.

Jadon Schlierf moved to 3-6-2 in goal for Fisher as the sophomore earned his second shutout of the year behind six saves.  

Fisher will be back in action at 7 p.m. on Wednesday when it hosts Nazareth College in a pivotal Empire 8 showdown inside Growney Stadium.