No. 2-Seeded Women's Soccer Set To Begin Postseason Against Houghton On Saturday

No. 2 Seed: St. John Fisher (10-4-2 overall, 9-1-1 Empire 8)

Head Coach: Molly Romano (7th season at St. John Fisher)

Career Record: 56-33-20 

Statistical Leaders: Goals (Emily Woolingham, 10), Assists (Woolingham and Maddie Wania, 7), Points (Woolingham, 27), Saves (Avery Byrnes, 30), Shutouts (Brynes, 5)

• Roster
• Coaching Staff
• Schedule
• Season Stats

Houghton (11-4-3 overall, 5-4-2 Empire 8)

Head Coach: Esther Pelligrino (7th season at Houghton)

Career Record: 37-56-14

Statistical Leaders: Goals (Russell Hope, 10), Assists (Taylor Curyto and Sophia Templeton, 4), Points (Hope, 21), Saves (Preslee Miller, 93), Shutouts (Miller, 9). 

• Roster
• Coaching Staff
• Schedule
• Season Stats

Six Things About Fisher

1 - The Cardinals enter the postseason with 10 shutouts, their most in a season since at least 2000. Senior goalkeeper Avery Byrnes leads Fisher with five solo shutouts, while freshman Isabella Ayers has two. 

2 - The Cardinals lead the conference in scoring margin (43-8), goals (43), assists (43) and points (129). They have allowed the fewest goals (8) in the E8. 

3 - Forward Emily Woolingham has a strong case to become just the second player in program history to win the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year award. Entering the postseason, the sophomore paces the conference with 27 points on 10 goals (second in E8) and seven assists (tied for first in E8).

4 - Woolingham’s 27 points stand fifth on Fisher’s single-season list. Additionally, she’s the first Cardinal to reach double-digit goals in a season since Carli Kovarik did so in 2021. 

5 - The Cardinals' nine regular-season Empire 8 victories this year marked their most ever as a member of the conference. 

6 - Head coach Molly Romano has led the Cardinals to three 10-plus win seasons, including two in a row, since taking over the program in 2019.

Fisher vs. Houghton History

Series Snapshot: The Cardinals own a 7-5-2 record against Houghton since 2012. They have won six straight.

Last Meeting: The Cardinals shut out Houghton 4-0 on Oct. 15 at Growney Stadium. Woolingham, senior Madelyn Wania, junior Carli Maltbie and sophomore Olivia Kalil each scored in the contest. Ayers, in her first collegiate start in net, made two saves. 

Empire 8 Tournament Central 

The 2025 Empire 8 Conference Women's Soccer Championship Tournament will feature the conference's top eight teams from regular season play. First round/quarterfinal action will feature the No. 1 seed hosting the No. 8 seed, No. 2 seed hosting the No. 7 seed, No. 3 seed hosting the No. 6 seed and No. 4 seed hosting the No. 5 seed on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The winner of the No. 1 and No. 8 game will take on the winner of the No. 4 and No. 5 game in one semifinal and the winner of the No. 2 and No. 7 game will take on the winner of the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds in the second semifinal on Wednesday, Nov. 5, with both games played at the higher seed.

The two semifinal winners will meet on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the highest remaining seed in the E8 Championship. The Empire 8 Champion will earn an automatic berth into the 2025 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship Tournament.

2025 Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship Tournament Participants
No. 1 – SUNY Brockport (31 points, 10-0-1 E8, 12-1-4 Overall)
No. 2 – St. John Fisher University (28 points, 9-1-1 E8, 10-4-2 Overall)
No. 3 – Nazareth University (20 points, 6-3-2 E8, 8-6-3 Overall)
No. 4 – Hartwick College (19 points, 5-2- E8, 8-3-6 Overall)
No. 5 – Utica University (19 points, 5-2-4 E8, 8-5-5 Overall)
No. 6 – SUNY Geneseo (19 points, 5-2-4 E8, 5-5-7 Overall)
No. 7 – Houghton University (17 points, 5-4-2 E8, 11-4-3 Overall)
No. 8 – Alfred University (11 points, 3-6-2 E8, 7-9-2 Overall)


2025 Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship Schedule

Saturday, November 1 – Quarterfinals 
No. 8 Alfred at No. 1 SUNY Brockport – 4 p.m. – VIDEO/LIVE STATS
No. 7 Houghton at No. 2 St. John Fisher – 3 p.m. – VIDEO/LIVE STATS
No. 6 SUNY Geneseo at No. 3 Nazareth – 2 p.m. – VIDEO/LIVE STATS
No. 5 Utica at No. 4 Hartwick – 1 p.m. – VIDEO/LIVE STATS
 
Wednesday, November 5 – Semifinals (at Higher Seed)
Winner of SUNY Brockport/Alfred vs. Winner of Hartwick/Utica – TBA – VIDEO/LIVE STATS
Winner of St. John Fisher/Houghton vs. Winner of Nazareth/SUNY Geneseo – TBA – VIDEO/LIVE STATS

Saturday, November 8 - Championship Final
Winner of Semifinal Game 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal Game 2 at Highest Remaining Seed – TBA – VIDEO/LIVE STATS

Site: Higher Seeds for all games

Admission
$10.00 - Adults
$2.00 - Students and seniors with ID
Free - Children under 12

For the most up to date information on this year's championship, follow the Empire 8 Conference on X and Instagram (@Empire8).

The 2025 Season In Photos….