Women's Lacrosse | 5/4/2024 7:05:00 PM
PITTSFORD, NY – The St. John Fisher University women's lacrosse team (11-7) faced an early deficit, but quickly flipped a switch in the second quarter before running away in the second half to defeat No. 2 seed Utica University (14-4) by a score of 20-5 in the 2024 Empire 8 Women's Lacrosse Championship from Growney Stadium on Saturday. The Cardinals have now won 12 straight Empire 8 Championships and 54 straight games against Empire 8 opponents dating back to the 2018 season.
Kaley Griffin gave the team the lead a couple minutes into the game, but the Pioneers answered with two goals of their own to claim a one goal lead. Griffin and Hanna Kumpf both scored man-up goals less than a minute apart to go in front 3-2 after one quarter of play. In the second frame, the Cardinals turned it on by outscoring Utica 6-0 to lead 9-2 at halftime. Mary Fiorentino scored her first of the day, before Griffin added her third. Sydney Carpenter and Ellie Leisen each tallied a brace in the second.
The Pioneers came out firing in the third quarter, scoring back-to-back goals in the opening four minutes of action. The Cardinals got back to their game and went on a run of seven unanswered goals. Carpenter recorded a hat trick in that run, while Fiorentino, Griffin, Emma Biel and Cara Landry all tallying their first of the day. In the final frame, Carpenter, Kumpf, Alivia Nieman and Chelsea Lopata all scored to give the team a 20-5 win.
Carpenter was named Tournament MVP for the third consecutive season after scoring six goals and dishing out three assists for nine points in the final. Kumpf and Griffin each added six points. Maggie Cross earned the win after playing all 60 minutes and making six saves.
Samantha DeCondo and Grace Stuhlman had a goal and an assist apiece to lead Utica, who made its first appearance in the E8 title game. Makayla Purdy stopped nine shots.
The Cardinals held a 31-13 edge in shots and were a perfect 28-of-28 in clears.
The Cardinals now wait for the NCAA Selection Show at 10:30 am on Monday to see where they will play the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
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