PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Sophomore attacker/midfielder Athena Lazina scored a career-high five goals as the No. 1-seeded St. John Fisher women's lacrosse team dominated No. 4 Utica-seeded 17-4 in the Empire 8 Conference Championship Semifinals on Thursday night at Growney Stadium.
The Cardinals (14-4 overall) advanced to the Empire 8 title game for the 14th consecutive season and 16th time overall with the victory. They will face No. 2-seeded SUNY Geneseo, which handled No. 3-seeded Brockport 15-8 in its semifinal game, at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Growney Stadium.
Including Lazina, who scored four of her five goals in the first half, the Cardinals had seven players tally two points or more in the drubbing of the Pioneers. Senior attacker Dharma Makarowsky (three goals, one assist) and junior attacker Ellie Leisen (two goals, two assists) each had four points, while senior attacker Megan McGrath (three goals) and junior attacker Chelsea Lopata (three assists) recorded three points apiece. Senior midfielder Kaley Griffin (two goals) and sophomore attacker Chloe Scanlan (one goal, one assist) each chipped in two points.
The Cardinals limited the Pioneers to just seven total shots (five on goal) and caused 21 turnovers – the most they have ever recorded in an Empire 8 Tournament game. Senior defender Maddie Lowney led the way with four caused turnovers.
How It Happened
The Cardinals jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter as Makarowsky scored twice and McGrath and Lazina each found the back of the net once. Alyssa Specchio got the Pioneers on the board with 3:51 left in the frame to make it 4-1, but the game didn't remain close for much longer.
St. John Fisher went on an offensive heater in the second quarter, pounding Utica with nine goals to take a 13-1 lead into halftime. Lazina fired three shots into the back of the cage, while six Cardinals contributed one goal apiece, including Makarowsky, Leisen, McGrath, Griffin, Scanlan and sophomore defender/midfielder Chelsea Mesick.
Griffin, Lazina, Leisen and McGrath each scored again in the second half, putting the finishing touches on the dominant victory. Maria Stuhlman accounted for two of the Pioneers' three second-half tallies.
Game Notes
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Sophomore defender Jess Andrews and junior defenders Leah Hilton and Emily DeVoe each caused three turnovers.
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Hilton's six draw controls marked a career high.
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Lowney also had four ground ball recoveries and four draw controls.
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The Cardinals recorded their 75th consecutive win against an Empire 8 team (regular season and postseason games).
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Fisher won its 23rd consecutive game at Growney Stadium, the longest active home winning streak in the country.
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Fisher recorded its 27th consecutive victory in the Empire 8 Tournament.
Up Next
The Cardinals face SUNY Geneseo in the E8 title game on Saturday. They beat the Knights 13-10 on April 8 behind seven points from Leisen, who scored five goals and tallied a pair of assists.
