Men's Soccer | 8/29/2024 6:01:00 PM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher men's soccer team begins its quest to reach a second straight Empire 8 championship game when it opens the 2024 season at 3 p.m. Friday at Clarkson. The Cardinals then return home to face Hobart at 4 p.m. Sunday at Growney Stadium. 

Fisher, 6-4-7 overall and 5-0-3 in the Empire 8 in 2023, shared the league's regular-season title with Elmira College last season. The Cardinals lost to the Soaring Eagles in penalty kicks in the Empire 8 title game. 

"We have high expectations every single year," Jack Burgasser, now in his fifth season as head coach of the Cardinals, said. "Over the last four years, we've shown that we are one of the best teams in the conference. We want to continue to strive for an Empire 8 championship." 

Eight of 11 Starters, Plenty of Depth Back for the Cardinals 

Burgasser has 20 players – including eight starters and six former All-Empire 8 performers – back from last year's team. Forwards Riley Rease and Joey Avallone, midfielder Jacob McGinnis and defender Ryan Brown earned 2023 second-team honors, while midfielder Reese Powers was a third-team selection. Midfielder Matt Gentile garnered All-Empire 8 recognition in 2022. 

Rease in 2023 led the Cardinals in points (12) and goals (5), while Avallone had four goals and eight points (tied for second on the team in both categories). Powers paced Fisher with three assists. 

Goalkeeper Christian Burkhart played in seven games and started five of them. He faced 43 shots, making 23 saves. 

"We return a lot of good players," Burgasser said. "Even our goalkeeper, Christian, was a transfer for us last year and our backup last year. He's got a ton of experience. We have to go prove it now."

The Cardinals have four freshmen this year, and defender Michael Linder and forward Mathias Ferrara showed promise in the preseason. 

"They showed that they can make an impact right away," Burgasser said. 

Series History vs. Clarkson

• The Cardinals are 0-2-1 against Clarkson. The two teams tied in 2016. 

• Fisher is 1-11 all-time against Hobart, but the teams have not played each other since 2016. The Cardinals won that contest 3-1.