ROCHESTER, NY – The number-four-seeded St. John Fisher Cardinals kicked off a high-scoring affair with a first-goal just over a minute into the game, as they defeated the number-five-seed Houghton Highlanders in the first round of the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament, 5-2.
Sydney Burns opened the scoring just 1:10 into the game, but the Highlanders responded quickly, when
Kylee Barshinger put away her 14
th goal of the season on an assist by
Lilyana Good just over four minutes later.
The score would remain knotted at 1-1 throughout the remainder of the first half, but the Cardinals would strike quickly in the second.
Only 47 seconds into the second period Avery McLaughlin gave Fisher the lead, and three minutes later Mary Kate McPhee made the score 3-1 on a penalty shot.
The Highlanders would not go quietly, continuing to press the Cardinals cage until
Olivia Ocker found Good for her 10
th goal of the season, pulling Houghton back within a score.
That, however, would be as close as the Highlanders would come, and late in the fourth quarter the Cardinals tacked on two more insurance goals to close out the win.
GAME VITALS
Score: #5 Houghton – 2 | #4 St. John Fisher – 5
Records: #5 Houghton: 10-6 | #4 St. John Fisher: 10-7
Venue: Growney Stadium, St. John Fisher University | Attendance: 94
SCORING SUMMARY
| 1:10 |
 |
Sydney Byrns
Assisted By: Sam Current |
| 5:26 |
 |
Kylee Barshinger (14)
Assisted By: Lilyana Good |
| 30:47 |
|
Avery McLaughlin
Assisted By: Emma Muchow |
| 33:46 |
|
Mary Kate McPhee |
| 39:52 |
|
Lilyana Good
Assisted By: Olivia Ocker |
| 52:44 |
|
Avery McLaughlin
Assisted By: Lily Humphrey |
| 58:49 |
|
Katie Schirrmacher
Assisted By: Avery McLaughlin |
NOTABLE STATS
>> As a team, the Highlanders scored 54 total goals this season, landing in a three-way tie with the 2001 and 1996 teams for seventh place on the single-season scoring board.
>> The Highlanders finished with double-digit victories for the third time in the past four seasons. They have qualified for the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament each of the past four seasons, and five of the past six.
>> Barshinger led the team in scoring with 14 goals and five assists (33 points), while
Adria Hartzler finished with 12 goals and five assists (29 points), and Good collected 10 goals and two assists (22 points).
Barshinger finished fourth in the conference in both goals scored and total points, while Hartzler finished fifth and sixth in the same categories, respectively.
COACH'S CORNER
"We were excited for a close matchup today, and both teams delivered. Statistically, it was a very back-and-forth game, with Fisher capitalizing in key opening moments to pull ahead.
"We had key defensive efforts from
Lilyana Good and
Olivia Ocker that kept the game closely played from start to finish, and timely execution on offensive penalty corners.
"I'm proud of the entire squad's efforts and collaboration, both today and throughout this season. We set out to be a different team between September and November, and we accomplished that.
"The program is undoubtedly growing—playoff appearances are becoming consistent and the match ups are certainly winnable. What a gift and a responsibility continuing to steward that growth is to our team and coaching staff. We are grateful." – Head Coach
Hannah Ogden
