PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Seniors Emma Spelman and Kate Rachwal made their most memorable collegiate plays as they pushed the No. 3 St. John Fisher women's soccer team past No. 6 Alfred 1-0 in overtime in the opening round of the Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship on Saturday at Growney Stadium.
The Cardinals (11-5-2) will face No. 2 SUNY Geneseo in the Empire 8 semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at College Stadium in Geneseo. Fisher has reached the conference semifinals in five of head coach Molly Romano's six seasons in charge of the program, including the last four.
With about 50 seconds left in overtime, Spelman, a midfielder, sent a pass from about 45 yards away toward the net. As it soared through the air, Rachwal moved into perfect position, leaped and headed the ball past Alfred goalkeeper Kiani Barnard-Pratt for the game-winning goal.
Cardinals players rushed toward Rachwal for a dog-pile celebration near the net.
Rachwal, a forward, scored her fifth goal of the season and first since Oct. 16. Spelman moved into a tie for the team lead in assists (9) with senior forward Riley Grimm.
The Cardinals tallied 17 shots (eight on net) to Alfred's three (one on net). Junior goalkeeper Avery Byrnes recorded her fourth shutout of the season.
Fisher Notes
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The Cardinals have beaten Alfred three times in the Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship under Romano. They have won all of those games 1-0.
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The Cardinals' 11 wins are the most by a team in program history since at least 2005.
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The Cardinals have won 10 games or more in two of the last four seasons.
Up Next
The Cardinals face Geneseo on the road on Wednesday (time TBD). The Knights beat the Cardinals 2-0 at Growney Stadium back on Sept. 21.
