ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College women's lacrosse team clinched the Empire 8 Regular Season Championship and home field advantage throughout the conference tournament as the Cardinals defeated host Nazareth College, 8-7, on Saturday in an Empire 8 showdown on the Golden Flyers' campus.  With the win, Fisher, which is ranked 11th in the most recent Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association poll, improved to 12-1 on the season and 7-0 in Empire action while the Golden Flyers, who clinched the second overall seed in next week's Empire 8 Championship, fell to 6-5 as a whole and 5-1 in the conference standings.

The Cardinals got on the board first as Alyssa Sproule found the back of the net six minutes in, but Nazareth would tie the contest eight minutes later with a goal of its own.

As the opening half wore on, Fisher forged ahead with back-to-back goals from Sydney DeGirolamo and Sproule to hold a 3-1 edge before the Golden Flyers cut the gap to one with a goal as the shot clock neared zero.

Clinging to a one-goal cushion, Fisher afforded itself some breathing room when Logan Chase hit Brittany Halpin for a goal as head coach Linda Michele's squad took a 4-2 advantage into halftime.

With the second half underway, DeGirolamo scored her second goal of the game just 58 seconds into the period to make it 5-2, but Nazareth would score four of the game's next five goals to level the contest at 6-6 with under 10 minutes remaining.

With momentum favoring the home team, Fisher weathered the storm and reclaimed the lead with two unanswered goals including marks from Courtney O'Dea and Chase.  Leading by two with time running down, Nazareth found the back of the net with four seconds left to play, but time ran out on the comeback bid.

DeGirloamo led the way for Fisher with four points on two goals and two assists as the junior accounted for four ground balls and three draw controls in the win.  Sproule finished with two goals while Chase had a goal and an assist.  Halpin, O'Dea and Kathleen Salanger rounded out the scoring with one goal apiece.

Defensively, Fisher caused 12 turnovers in the win led by Erin Mills who was credited with three. 

In goal, Claudia Mocciaro moved to 12-1 with the win after the senior made two saves over 60 minutes.

Up next, Fisher will begin its quest for its ninth consecutive Empire 8 Championship as it hosts an Empire 8 semifinal at Growney Stadium.  The Cardinals' opponent and a time have yet to be determined.