ALBANY, N.Y. – Despite playing a nearly evenly-matched game, the St. John Fisher College men's soccer team fell victim to an 0-1 decision against the Russell Sage Gators at ACP Stadium on Saturday night. The Cardinals fell to 2-5-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference while the Gators grabbed their first Empire 8 win of the year, improving to 5-5-2 this year and 1-3 in conference play.
 
The hosts dominated much of the match's first 45 minutes of play, as Fisher defended its goal nine times on corner kicks and nine shots in the first half, while they took just two corners and five shots of their own. Discrepancy aside, the teams headed into the half scoreless.
 
Jack Burgasser's squad emerged from the intermission with new life, uncorking nine shots of their own in the game's final minutes and earning five corner kicks to the Gators' two shots and one corner. Neither offensive unit was able to find the back of the net throughout the contest's 90 minutes, but Fisher saw a critical error put a tally on the board for Russell Sage in the 70th minute.
 
Jackson Bishop and Justin Bonetto each took three shots during the contest while Ryan Collins places two attempts on goal after coming off the bench. The Cardinals' remaining six shots were split by Antonio Buonomo, Ben Woolingham, Riley Rease, Paraskeva Tegas, Ishaan Kashyap, and Troy Jezorio.
 
Jadon Schlierf tended goal for the Cardinals, making five saves and surrendering the game's lone goal on 11 shots faced. His record falls to 2-5-2 between the posts.
 
Fisher is back at home this Wednesday, October 13 at 7 P.M. when they welcome the Utica College Pioneers to Growney Stadium for a chance to move up in the Empire 8 standings.