PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College men's soccer team moved one step closer to securing a postseason berth on Saturday after the Cardinals dispatched of visiting Alfred University, 1-0, in an Empire 8 tilt inside Growney Stadium.  With the win, the Cardinals improved to 4-6-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the league standings while the Saxons wrapped up the weekend at 3-10-2 and 2-5-0, respectively.

The win had added meaning as the team honored the members of its graduating class prior to the opening whistle including Mike Abbott, Antonio Buonomo, Ethan Lane, Andy LoCicero, Daniel Murray, Sean McDaniel, Jeff Meyers, Antonio Robles and Paraskeva Tegas.

The Cardinals tested Alfred early and often as head coach Jack Burgasser's squad earned six corner kicks over the first 18 minutes of play before Dominic Tabechian sent a pass in from the far corner that found Riley Rease as the freshman buried his team-leading ninth goal of the season.

As the second half got underway, Fisher was forced to play a man down.  Despite the advantage, Alfred was unable to generate much on the offensive end of the field as Fisher's defense smothered the Saxons at every turn.  In all, Alfred was credited with having taken eight shots over the final 45 minutes of play, but only two made their way through the Cardinals' back line to Jadon Schlierf.

Schlierf moved to 4-6-3 on the year after picking up his third shutout of the season behind five saves over 90 minutes of action. 

The Cardinals are scheduled to be back on the pitch at 4 p.m. on Wednesday when they visit Keuka College to take on the Wolves in a pairing that could clinch a spot in the upcoming Empire 8 Championship for Fisher.