PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher men's soccer team, after starting the season 0-7-1, will host an Empire 8 Conference Tournament game on Saturday.
The Cardinals (6-8-2, 6-3-2 Empire 8) on Wednesday night topped East Avenue rival Nazareth 2-0 for their sixth victory in their last eight games, securing the No. 4 seed for the E8 Tournament. They will host No. 5 Utica in the opening round at Growney Stadium.
Fisher has allowed just one goal during its 6-1-1 run over the last month.
How It Happened
Fisher took a 1-0 lead late in the first half when senior Nick Rippe drilled in a rocket from about 30 yards out for his first collegiate goal.
The Cardinals doubled their lead midway through the second half, as senior Reese Powers tipped in fellow senior Tommy Mullane's shot that may have been ticketed for the back of the net anyway.
Freshman goalkeeper Parker Stusek and the Fisher back line held firm, limiting the Golden Flyers to just four shots on goal to preserve another shutout in front of a packed home crowd.
Game Notes
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The victory marked Fisher's third in a row over Nazareth. The Cardinals own a 12-11-5 edge against their East Avenue rivals since 2002.
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Stusek finished with four saves and recorded his conference-leading seventh shutout of the season.
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Reese Powers scored his fourth goal of the season, tying junior Jack Tamburino for the team lead.
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The Cardinals have posted a winning record in E8 regular-season play every year under head coach Jack Burgasser. They have won at least six conference regular-season games in three of the last four years.
Up Next
The Cardinals host Utica at Growney Stadium on Saturday. A start time has not yet been determined.
