St. John Fisher Women's Lacrosse Knocks Off Nazareth
The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College women’s lacrosse team came through with a 16-13 win over East-Avenue rival Nazareth College in a pivotal Empire 8 Conference match on Wednesday after at Growney Stadium.
It was the first time Fisher, currently ranked 24th in the national coaches poll, has ever beaten Nazareth in the regular season. Nazareth entered today’s game with a 12-1 advantage in the all-time series with Fisher’s lone win coming in the 2007 Empire 8 Conference Championship finals.
The Cardinals (6-3 overall, 2-1 Empire 8) took a 5-0 lead to start the game and stayed in control for nearly the entire contest. Nazareth, who trailed 11-4 early in the second half, chipped away at the lead and pulled to within two goals at 15-13 with 3:13.
Fisher, however, sealed the win in the final minute on a goal from sophomore Melissa Leonhard, who led the Cardinals on the day with eight points on six goals and two assists. She also finished with six ground balls and five draw controls.
Courtney Clare finished with five points on one goal and four assists, while freshman Taylor Hughes scored all three of her goals in the first half.
Seniors Mary Stimson and Meg Merriam each scored twice, while Shannon McDermott and Jackie Maynard also scored. Julia Lauria led Fisher with seven ground balls, while Logan Barnard forced two turnovers.
Goalie Molly Naylon made the most of her first career start, registering a career-high nine saves.