PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's soccer team was set back in its final non-conference game before the beginning of league play by regional rival, Ithaca College, on Tuesday night following a 1-3 decision at Growney Stadium. With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 4-2 on the year, while the Bombers bounced back from their first defeat of the season to better their record to 5-1.
 
Although Fisher found an opportunity on goal within the match's first 11 seconds, the two clubs duked it out for the majority of the first half. Play constantly shifted through the midfield as the teams went even with corner kick attempts and the visitors rode a 12-3 shot advantage.
 
At the 43-minute mark, the Bombers used a set piece to set up two consecutive headers that were sent away by Fisher keeper, Halle Tickell, but a rebound found the back of the net, putting the guests up one score headed into the intermission.
 
Momentum then shifted in the direction of Ithaca as the Bombers put themselves on the board twice more at the 59- and 74-minute marks.
 
With a new fire lit and just nine minutes to play, the Cardinals offense perked up as the midfield put a far-side ball to Emma Spelman who sent a ball cross-field to Carli Kovarik in the post. The senior, determined to avoid shutout, stole the ball from the visitors' last line of defense and sent her seventh goal of the year screaming past the keeper.
 
Of Fisher's six shots in the contest, Kovarik owned two attempts while Alexis Gossage, Jessica Aldred, Emma Spelman, and Tori Cruz split the remaining four.
 
Tickell, whose record slips to 3-1, logged all 90 minutes in the Cardinals' cage and made a career-high 10 saves on 18 shots faced and three goals allowed.
 
Fisher looks to bounce back this Saturday, September 25 when they travel to Oneonta to take on Hartwick College in their Empire 8 Conference opener at 2 P.M.