ALFRED, N.Y. – For the first time in program history, the St. John Fisher College men's soccer team has clinched the Empire 8 Regular Season Championship following the Cardinals' 2-1 triumph of Alfred on the pitch at Yunevich Stadium.  With the victory, the Cardinals improved their regular season and Empire 8 records to 4-1, while the Saxons slid to 0-5.
 
The Cardinals dominated the offensive play during the match's opening minutes, as they took seven shots, including three which were on target, compared to the Saxons' three total opportunities.
 
As the game ticked into its' 25^th minute, Fisher midfielder Justin Bonetto found himself loose and uncorked a shot that found the back of the opponent's net, putting the visitors up one goal to none. The goal was the junior's second of the year and was unmatched until nearly midway through the second half.
 
Fisher continued to get opportunities at the scoring end of the field, as it was awarded five corner kicks over the course of the match's 90 minutes, including two within the second half's initial minutes.
 
After Alfred equalized in the match's 71^st minute, the teams traded possessions until an Alfred foul set up Fisher for a free kick. Matt Gentile struck the ball for the Cardinals, intended to be a pass to his teammates who were better positioned to strike, but the ball slipped through the teeth of the defense and past the keeper to end up in the far back corner of the net. The goal was the freshman's second of the year and his first career game-winner.
 
Rounding out the attempts at net were Jeff Meyers who led Fisher with three, Bonetto, Gentile, Drew Ksanznak, and Jackson Bishop with two shots apiece, and Ben Woolingham and Antonio Robles who both tried once.
 
Jadon Schlierf made two saves and allowed one goal in the match, after facing a total of 10 shots, just three of which were on the mark. His record as the Cardinals' starting keeper matches the team's record at 4-1.
 
Despite the abbreviated year, first-year head coach Jack Burgasser led his squad to a 4-1 regular season and the program's first ever Empire 8 Regular Season title. The Cardinals will now turn to the Empire 8 Conference Championship in hopes to secure its first tournament title since 2016. The No. 1 Cardinals will host its first game at Growney Stadium on Wednesday, April 14, at a time to be announced.