Box | Updated stats
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Host St. John Fisher scored the final two goals of the first half to snap a 4-4 tie Saturday as the Cardinals took a 12-8 women's lacrosse victory over Nazareth in an Empire 8 Conference game at Growney Stadium.

Nazareth dropped to 5-6 overall and 2-2 in conference games. Fisher improved to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the Empire 8.

Fisher's Melissa Leonard scored five goals, including two within a span of nine seconds late in the first half to snap the 4-4 deadlock and to give the Cardinals the lead for good.

Senior Megan Cregan scored three goals for Nazareth, including the first goal of the second half just 24 seconds in to pull the Golden Flyers to within 6-5. Fisher, however, scored the next two goals to maintain an advantage.

Trailing 9-6 late in the game, Nazareth got goals from Amy McIntosh and Erinn Wood to close within 9-8 with 6:39 left. Fisher, however, closed out the Golden Flyers by scoring the last three goals, including one by Leonhard with :08 to give her 41 on the season.

Senior Alyssa Johnston contributed two goals and three assists for the Golden Flyers, who also had a goal from Brianna Mancini.

Fisher had sizeable advantages in shots (44-11) and ground balls (29-15), but Nazareth goalie Tara Prosak played well by totaling a career-high 15 saves.

Nazareth plays again Tuesday at Houghton at 5 p.m. in its first-ever meeting with the Highlanders.