Men's Soccer | 11/9/2024 8:35:03 PM
PITTSFORD, NY - The top-seeded St. John Fisher men's soccer team (11-4-5) won the 2024 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship for the third time in program history, 2-0 over No. 7 seed Elmira College (7-9-4) from Growney Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Cardinals earn the Empire 8's automatic berth into the 2024 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship. St. John Fisher will await its NCAA Tournament opponent and site during the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer selection show will be held Monday, November 11 at 1:30 p.m. The Cardinals will begin NCAA Tournament play with first and second round action on Nov 16-17.
St. John Fisher also won Empire 8 Championships in 2016 and Spring, 2021. They will be making their second appearance (2016) in the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament.
The Cardinals ended up getting exactly what they'd hoped for when the regular season began back in August: a chance to take care of some unfinished business against the Soaring Eagles, who they lost to in penalty kicks in the Empire 8 title game last year.
Fisher erased any doubt about it early, scoring twice in the first 25 minutes of the first half and holding the 2-0 lead the rest of the way
Senior forward Riley Rease scored on an assist from senior forward Trevor Heschke at the 13:47 mark. About 10 minutes later, senior forward Joey Avallone netted his team-leading seventh goal of the season off assists from Rease and sophomore forward Jack Tamburino.
Cardinals goalkeeper Christian Burkhart, named the 2024 Empire 8 Tournament Most Valuable Player , recorded his Division-III leading 13th shutout of the season and made four saves. The Cardinals have blanked their last six opponents.
Fisher has not lost since a 2-1 setback to Russell Sage on Oct. 5. It has outscored its opponents 18-1 in that stretch.
2024 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Schedule
Saturday, November 2 – Quarterfinals
No. 1 St. John Fisher defeated No. 8 Russell Sage, 1-0 – BOX SCORE
No. 5 SUNY Brockport defeated No. 4 SUNY Poly, 3-0 – BOX SCORE
No. 6 Hartwick draws No. 3 SUNY Geneseo, 1-1 (advances on PK's 6-5) – BOX SCORE
No. 7 Elmira defeated No. 2 Nazareth, 2-1 – BOX SCORE
Wednesday, November 6 - Semifinals
No. 1 St. John Fisher tied No. 5 SUNY Brockport, 0-0 (St. John Fisher advances on PK's, 4-1) – BOX SCORE
No. 7 Elmira defeated No. 6 Hartwick, 2-0 – BOX SCORE
Saturday, November 9 - Championship Final
No. 1 St. John Fisher defeated No. 7 Elmira, 2-0 -– BOX SCORE
2024 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player
Christian Burkhart, Gr., GK, St. John Fisher
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