PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Senior defender Maddie Lowney stamped another mark on the St. John Fisher women's lacrosse program's record book as the No. 24 Cardinals steamrolled Nazareth 21-4 on Saturday afternoon at Growney Stadium.
The Cardinals improved to 11-4 overall (7-0 Empire 8 Conference) with the victory, their ninth in their last 10 contests. Nazareth dropped to 3-12 overall (3-4 Empire 8).
Lowney, who broke Fisher's career record for caused turnovers 10 days ago, bested the single-season program record 44 turnovers she caused last year with five against Nazareth. She now has 45 through 15 contests this season, an average of three per game.
Junior attacker Ellie Leisen led the Cardinals offensively in the thrashing of the Golden Flyers, as she matched her career high with eight points on three goals and five assists. Senior attacker Dharma Makarowky followed with five points on four goals and one assist, while senior midfielder Kaley Griffin had four points, all coming on goals. Junior attacker Chelsea Lopata (one goal, two assists) and senior attacker Megan McGrath (two goals) also contributed multiple points.
Nazareth goalkeeper Allie Klestinec made a game-high 21 saves and recovered three ground balls. Juniors Maggie Cross and Kaylee Gadol each stopped a pair of shots in net for the Cardinals.
How It Happened
While it took a few minutes for them to get there, the Cardinals didn't let up when they found their groove on the offensive end. Leisen, Walter, Lazina, Griffin and McGrath each scored in the first quarter as Fisher jumped out to a 5-1 lead.
The Cardinals struck for three goals early in the second quarter, with two coming from Makarowsky and one from Lopata. Haley Dennison got Nazareth back on the board at the 9:13 mark, and that proved to be the last tally for the Golden Flyers until the middle stages of the fourth quarter.
In between Nazareth's second and third goals, the Cardinals ran away with the game with a 12-0 run that made the score 20-2. Three Cardinals found the back of the net multiple times during that stretch, including Griffin (3), Leisen (2) and Makarowsky (2). McGrath, sophomore attackers Chloe Scanlan and Ally Stank, sophomore defender Chelsea Mesick and senior attacker Sydney Closinski scored one goal apiece.
Freshman midfielder Kyra Gross added the Cardinals' final tally of the game late in the fourth quarter after a pair of Nazareth goals.
Game Notes
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Lowney has caused at least three turnovers in all but five of the Cardinals' games this season. She has caused five turnovers in three games.
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Lowney's final stat line also included four ground balls and four draw controls.
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Griffin also controlled eight draws, marking her sixth game this season with five or more.
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Leisen has now amassed five-plus points in eight games this season, including in four of the last five. She has had two games with eight points this season.
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Leisen's five assists marked a career high.
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Makarowsky recorded her sixth game this season with four points or more.
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Griffin matched her season high with four goals.
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Lopata matched her career high with three caused turnovers.
Up Next
The Cardinals face Keuka at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in Keuka Park, N.Y.
