PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Freshman midfielder
Emma Spelman tallied five points, including a goal and three assists, effectively plastering her name all over the St. John Fisher College women's soccer team's 4-1 win over reigning Empire 8 Champion, Russell Sage, on Saturday afternoon at Growney Stadium. The Cardinals improved to 6-4 in the 2021 campaign and 2-1 in the Empire 8 while the Gators fell to 4-6-2 and 1-2-1 in conference play.
Fisher got to work early as Spelman tapped a ball that
Emma Osterhoudt sent through the midfield to
Carli Kovarik, who made a step before unloading her conference-leading eighth goal of the year between the Gators' posts in the game's 13th minute.
Just 10 minutes later, Spelman got back to work as she crossed a defender and sent a ball through the teeth of the Russell Sage defense which found the toe of fellow first year, Osterhoudt, who chipped in her second tally of the year, giving the Cardinals a 2-0 cushion headed into the half.
Although Sage fought their way to put a score on the board, Fisher wouldn't go away without two more insurance scores. As the ball worked through the midfield in the game's 83rd minute, freshman
Isabella Peracchi sent it right back to the offensive side of the field with a rainbowed cross that found the noggin of Spelman who lifted the ball just over the extended reach of the Gators' keeper for her third goal of the season. Just 13 seconds later, Fisher stole Sage's kickoff attempt and Spelman found a cutting
Tori Cruz, who tapped in her first goal in a Cardinals uniform.
Kovarik's eight shots in the contest paced Fisher's offensive front, while
Kayla Rhude and
Jennifer Kirker each recorded a pair of attempts. The remaining seven shots were split by Spelman, Osterhoudt, Cruz,
Jessica Aldred,
Alexis Gossage,
Madison Scull, and
Isabella Guarracino.
Cardinals' keeper
Halle Tickell moved to 5-3 in net as the senior made four saves and allowed a goal on 10 shots faced.
Fisher looks to bring their momentum on the road with them this Wednesday, October 13 when the team travels to Utica for an Empire 8 matchup with the Pioneers at 4 P.M.
