PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Junior attacker Ellie Leisen had another huge offensive performance as the St. John Fisher University women's lacrosse team rolled to a 22-1 Senior Day victory over Hartwick College on Saturday afternoon at Growney Stadium.
The Cardinals, 13-4 overall and 9-0 in Empire 8 play, completed their seventh consecutive unbeaten regular season in conference play with the victory. Hartwick dropped to 7-9 overall and 5-4 in the Empire 8.
Leisen erupted for 10 points — tied for the second most in a game in St. John Fisher history — on four goals and six assists. With the offensive outburst, she entered the top 10 on Fisher's single-season lists for points (78, tied for eighth) and assists (34, seventh).
Eight other Cardinals recorded at least a point, with seven of them tallying two or more, in the drubbing of the Hawks. Sophomore attacker Chloe Scanlan (four goals, one assist) and senior midfielder Kaley Griffin (three goals, two assists) each had five points, while senior attacker Dharma Makarowsky (three goals, one assist) and junior attacker Chelsea Lopata (four goals) amassed four points.
Senior attacker Sydney Closinski (one goal, two assists) tallied three points. Senior attacker Megan McGrath (one goal, one assist) and sophomore midfielder Charlotte Walter (two goals) chipped in two points.
The Cardinals' defense limited the Hawks to four total shots (two on goal) and caused 19 turnovers. Senior defender Maddie Lowney caused a season-high six turnovers.
Fisher honored its eight seniors – Griffin, Makarowsky, Closinski, McGrath, Lowney, Alivia Nieman, Paige Miller and Kayla Schatz – before the game.
How It Happened
In lousy conditions that presented persistent rain and temperatures in the low 40s, the Cardinals didn't waste any time building a comfortable advantage, as they scored four times in the first five minutes and ended the opening quarter with a 7-1 cushion. Lopata and Makarowsky each scored twice, while Leisen, Closinski and McGrath had one goal apiece.
After being held scoreless for the first 4:30 in the second quarter, the Cardinals pelted the back of the cage seven more times over the final 10:30 to ensure that a running clock, implemented once a team gains a 10-goal lead, would begin before halftime. Scanlan led Fisher with two goals in the frame, and Lopata, Leisen, Griffin, Makarowsky and sophomore midfielder Charlotte Walter contributed one apiece.
Leisen had six of her points in the first half, scoring two goals and setting up four others, with three of those assists coming in the second quarter.
Leisen, Lopata, Walter and Griffin found the back of the net again in the third quarter as the Cardinals stretched their advantage to 18-1. Fisher topped off its scoring in the fourth quarter with two more goals from Scanlan and one apiece for Leisen and Griffin.
Game Notes
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Leisen became the second Fisher player to record 10 points in a game this season. Lopata had four goals and six assists for 10 points in a victory over Alfred earlier this month.
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Leisen has tallied five or more points in 10 contests this season.
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Leisen's six assists marked a career high and matched Fisher's second-highest single-game total.
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Leisen has scored four-plus goals in seven contests this season.
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Lowney recorded her seventh game this season with four or more caused turnovers. Her six caused turnovers matched the Cardinals' fourth-best single-game total.
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Griffin's five points marked a season high.
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The Cardinals controlled 16 of the game's 24 draws, with Lowney and junior defender Leah Hilton recording five wins apiece.
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Schatz, Miller and junior defender Emily DeVoe each caused two turnovers.
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Lowney led the Cardinals with five ground balls, two shy of her season high.
Up Next
The Cardinals have the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye for the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament. They will host the lowest remaining seed in the semifinals on Thursday, April 30 (start time TBA).
