ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Golden Flyers claimed their fourth field hockey win of the season against Empire 8 Conference rival St. John Fisher with Saturday's 4-3 win. Nazareth's goals were scored by junior Tessa Knapp, senior Maria Martini, junior Kailee O'Hara, and sophomore Alexis Root.
Nazareth is now 3-3 in conference play and 4-11 overall. St. John Fisher now falls to 0-6 in the conference and 1-14 overall.
Nazareth started strong with Knapp scoring the first goal a mere 21 seconds into play. The goal was assisted by senior Nina Fargnoli. Fargnoli dribbled straight down the center of the field, and then passed to Knapp who completed the play with her goal. The Golden Flyers went up 2-0 on a goal by Martini. Martini received a pass from sophomore Sarah Wazenkewitz, then knocked the ball into Fisher's goal right before Cardinal goalie Kellie Redmond dove for the ball. Less than a minute after Martini's goal, O'Hara scored the Golden Flyers' third goal with an assist from senior Lindsey Wagner. At the completion of the first half, Nazareth led the Cardinals, 3-0.
Fisher retaliated in the second half with a goal by Marissa Vedella. Vedella slapped the ball past Nazareth's freshman goalie Sophia Rhoades after Rhoades had deflected a shot by Fisher's Caitlin Allen. Allen then scored for the Cardinals with a double assist on a corner from Taylor Parker and Vedella. Fisher's Stacey Skidmore then scored the Cardinals' third goal within 15 minutes to tie up the game 3-3. Despite the Cardinals' attempt at a comeback, Root was able to tallie a fourth goal for Nazareth with just over five minutes left in the second half. Root's goal was assisted by Knapp.
Nazareth tallied a total of 20 shots over Fisher's 11. Nazareth also totalled 15 corners over Fisher's five. Roades had four saves against the Cardinals, and Redmond had nine saves against the Golden Flyers.