PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's soccer team fell victim to the undefeated and Empire 8 conference leader, Nazareth, by a score of 2-3 on the Cardinals' senior night at Growney Stadium. The Cardinals dropped to 2-2 on the year and in the conference, while the Golden Flyers remained perfect and improved to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the Empire 8.
 
Before the night kicked off, Fisher honored and thanked its three seniors: Kerri Orbach, Chandler Stephany, and Lila Platt. All three Cardinals have been integral to the women's soccer program over each of their four years, including the transition of coaching staffs to the current crew, led by Molly Romano.
 
Threats at the offensive end of the field began as soon as the match's initial whistle blew, as the Golden Flyers had their first attempt on goal within the first 40 seconds. Both teams' front lines produced valiant efforts in the early minutes, as corner kicks were awarded to both squads before the clock exhausted five minutes.
 
Although their opening attempts on goal were fewer in number, the Cardinals added a score to their half of the board first. As the game entered its 14^th minute, Christina Van Allen stole the ball from Nazareth and sent a pass through the teeth of the midfield, finding Carli Kovarik in stride, who unleashed a shot that beat the fingertips of the Golden Flyers keeper. The goal was the junior's third goal of the season, while the freshman Van Allen recorded her first career assist.
 
Less than three minutes later, Nazareth tied the score at one after a corner kick set the Golden Flyers up for a deep goal. The score remained knotted headed into the intermission, although Nazareth uncorked eight shots and three corner attempts to the Cardinals' two shots and one corner.
 
The visitors were awarded three consecutive corner kicks following the break, but the Fisher defense of Jessica Aldred, Chandler Stephany, Hanna LaRocca, and Madison Scull redirected pressure all three times.
 
Nazareth netted the ball twice more, but the Cardinals refused to stand down. After forcing a corner kick, the Fisher offense lined up to strike. Aldred blasted a cross into the box which was headed by Kovarik, landing at the foot of Cardinals midfielder, Natalie Smith. The junior controlled the ball and nailed a perfectly-timed shot that weaved through the legs of defenders to find the back of the net. The goal was the first of Smith's career on just her second shot of the season.
 
Fisher's final attempt at the net came in the 77^th minute as Kovarik beat the Nazareth keeper to a free ball, but her shot was stopped at the cage by a Nazareth defender.
 
Cardinals keeper, Lila Platt, notched a season-high seven saves in the contest after tallying all 90 minutes between the posts. The senior's season record dropped to 2-2 with the loss.
 
Rounding out the shooting for the Cardinals were Kovarik with two, and Smith and Alexis Gossage who both recorded one apiece.
 
The Cardinals have a week off before they conclude their regular season on Thursday, April 8 when they travel to Utica for a 4 P.M. Empire 8 kickoff with the Pioneers.