PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University men's soccer team hosted Utica University for the Empire 8 Conference Semifinals and the two teams battled for 110 minutes before heading into penalty shootouts. The Cardinals scored in the first half, before the Pioneers evened the score in the second half and neither unit scored again through the two over-time periods. Utica went on to win the penalty shootout, 4-2 to knock off Fisher.
 
The first goal of the game came early on. Brennan Brown used his head to deliver a perfect ball for Riley Rease, who had a one on one with the opponent goalie and he slotted in the shot to go ahead 1-0. The Cardinals kept the pressure on with a shot by Trevor Heschke going high and then opportunities on two corner kicks that came up short. Into the second half, the Pioneers knocked in the equalizer 17 minutes into the frame. Fisher did not register a shot the rest of regulation.
 
In the first period of overtime, Rease had an opportunity to put the team ahead with a one-on-one with the keeper again, but this time the Utica goalie was able to make the save to keep the score even. In the second period of overtime, Rease once again had a chance to score the winner, but the Pioneer goalkeeper saved his header and the two teams went into penalty shootouts. In penalty shootouts, Utica defeated the Cardinals, 4-2, to advance to the Empire 8 finals.
 
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