PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Top-seeded St. John Fisher dominated visiting Nazareth Sunday to win the championship of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament for women's lacrosse. The 10th-ranked Cardinals scored the first five goals of the game and went on to take a 13-3 victory over Nazareth at Growney Stadium.
The Cardinals defeated Nazareth for the third time this season to improve to 14-1 overall. Fisher won the E8 title for the ninth straight time and 11th time overall. Fisher also will represent the Empire 8 in the NCAA Division III Tournament. First-round matchups will be revealed Monday. Nazareth finishes its season at 7-6 overall.
Senior
Regan McGwin scored two goals for Nazareth and
Lauren Caldwell had the other goal.
Fisher, featuring its customary ball-control offense and pressure defense, had large statistical advantages in shots (33-10), ground balls (17-13) and draw controls (14-4) and generally dominated the time of possession.
Fisher won six draw controls in the first half and took a 6-1 lead into the break. It was 5-0 before Nazareth finally scored as Caldwell converted a free-position opportunity for the only tally of the half with 12:28 left.
Fisher then scored the first five goals of the second half to extend the lead to 11-1. McGwin scored twice late in the half for the Golden Flyers with
Emma Robinson gaining an assist on the second goal. Junior
Katie Lawrence played well in goal in making 11 saves. Fisher's Sydney DiGirolamo scored five goals and added three assists to gain MVP honors.
The game marked the final installment for Nazareth's seniors:
Vicki Arena,
Tori Blazey,
Jade Hendricks,
Dylann Hogan Jordan Knapp,
Callahan Lyon and
Regan McGwin.