PITTSFORD, NY - Nationally 12th ranked St. John Fisher defeated Hartwick's men's lacrosse team 13-4 on Saturday. The loss drops the Hawks to 5-4 overall and 0-2 in the Empire 8. It marked the second straight game for the Hawks against a nationally ranked opponent.
The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter with all three goals coming in a 1:44 span. The hosts tacked on their fourth tally as time expired in the quarter for a 4-0 edge.
Fisher netted five straight goals in the second quarter for a 9-0 advantage. The Cardinals scored three times in 49 seconds in the spurt.
Senior Dave Aitchison (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) got Hartwick on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal with 7:07 left in the half. Fisher, however, added to their lead with two scores in the final 1:05 of the half for an 11-1 edge.
SJFC scored two more in the third quarter before Aitchison set up freshman Phil Schaefer (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North) with under four minutes left in the period. Harry Hughes (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East) and Jake Cooper (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville Manlius) contributed four-period tallies for 'Wick but it wasn't enough as the Cardinals got the win.
Carl Lengel (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook) and Nick Triano (N. Andover, MA/St. Johns Prep) split time in the Hartwick cage. Lengel played the first half making seven stops. Triano stopped two shots in the second session.
Fisher (8-1, 1-1 Empire 8) outshot the Hawks in the game, 33-20. The Cardinals also held advantages in ground balls (41-23) and face-offs (16-for-21)
Connor Henderson and Mitch Ritchie each recorded two goals and one assist for Fisher. David Haseley added a pair of goals and Matt McShea, M.P. Joseph, and Jamie Campagna combined for eight saves in goal. Erich Rassow won 14-of-16 face-offs and had the game-high in ground balls with nine.
Hartwick defender Alex Skvarch (Syracuse, NY/Marcellus) earned a team-best five ground balls. He also caused two Fisher turnovers. Aitchison caused a game-high three turnovers for the Hawks.
'Wick next plays on Wednesday against #6 Stevens Institute of Technology. The opening face-off is at 3:30 p.m. in Hoboken, NJ.
