SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The No. 23 St. John Fisher women's lacrosse team began Empire 8 Conference play with a 26-3 thrashing of Russell Sage (0-4, 0-1 E8) on Saturday afternoon for its third consecutive victory. 

The Cardinals (5-3, 1-0 E8) spread the offense across the lineup, with 14 players recording at least one point and nine tallying multiple points. Junior attackers Chelsea Lopata and Ellie Leisen paced Fisher with seven and six points, respectively. Lopata had four goals and three assists, while Leisen had four goals and two helpers. 

Senior attacker Megan McGrath had a career-high four points with three goals and an assist, while three other Cardinals contributed three points apiece, including senior attacker Dharma Makarowsky (2 goals, 1 assist), sophomore attacker Chloe Scanlan (3 goals) and freshman attacker Camryn Smith (2 goals, 1 assist). Senior midfielder Kaley Griffin and junior attacker Olivia Gonnella each scored twice, and senior attacker Sydney Closinski added a goal and an assist.

The Cardinals dominated on draw controls, winning 21 of 28, led by Griffin with eight. Lopata and senior defender Maddie Lowney each secured three.

In goal, juniors Maggie Cross and Kaylee Gadol split time, with Gadol recording one save. Sophomore defender Chelsea Mesick caused three turnovers as the Cardinals' defense held Sage to just four total shots.

How it Happened

Fisher set the tone early, outscoring the Gators 8-1 in the first quarter. Scanlan and Lopata each scored twice, while Makarowsky, Griffin, Leisen and sophomore midfielder Athena Lazina each added a goal.

The Cardinals maintained control in the second quarter, adding seven more goals to take a 15-2 lead. Leisen scored twice in the frame, while Scanlan, Lowney, Lopata, McGrath and Makarowky each found the back of the net.

Russell Sage had no answer in the third quarter as Fisher poured in seven more goals to extend the lead to 22-2. Gonnella scored both of her goals in the frame, while Closinski, Smith, Griffin, freshman midfielder Cara Harrington and junior attacker Taylor Maxam netted one apiece. 

McGrath, Lopata, Leisen and Smith added on in the final quarter to put the finishing touches on the 26-3 victory.

Game Notes

• Leisen matched her career highs in goals (4) and total points (6). The game marked her fourth this season with four points or more.

• Lopata matched her career high in goals (4). She has tallied 13 points on nine goals and four assists in three games this week after missing Fisher's first five contests. 

• Leisen also caused two turnovers and picked up three ground balls.

• Harrington's goal in the third quarter marked the first of her collegiate career. 

• Smith recorded her first collegiate points with two goals and an assist.

Up Next

The Cardinals host Utica University at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Growney Stadium.