St. John Fisher wins thriller over Brockport

Courtesy of athletics.SJFC.edu

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College men’s soccer team opened up its home schedule with a thrilling, come from behind victory against the College at Brockport, 3-2. Heading into the match the Cardinals were ranked tenth in the East Regional NCAA Division III men’s soccer poll. With the win the Cardinals advance to 3-0-3 on the year, while the Golden Eagles fall to 3-2.

The first half of play was marked by even play, with each side tallying a lone goal and six total shots apiece. Fisher struck first in the tenth minute of play, when Tyler Randall sent a cross sailing into the six yard box where Bryan Rollins was there to tap it in just past the Brockport goalkeeper.

However, in the 35th minute Brockport struck back, blasting a shot to the top right corner of the goal from 25 yards out. Going into the half, six different Fisher players each recorded a shot of their own in the first 45 minutes of play.

The Fisher defense held steady until the 77th minute of play in the second half when a Golden Eagle was able to shake the Cardinal defenders, and sneak a goal past Fisher goalkeeper Joe Catalfamo.

Five minutes later, Justin Polk brought a ball into the six yard box and eventually was fouled, setting up the penalty kick opportunity for Justin Ferron who buried it into the bottom left corner of the net.

The deciding goal came with just over five minutes left on the clock when Joe Balls sent a pass to Nick Heffler, who ripped a ball from 15 yards out hitting the top left corner of the net for his first goal of the season. Catalfamo was able to save the last shot fired from Brockport and Fisher would hold on to take the victory.

The Cardinals finished the game outshooting the Golden Eagles, 13-12. Balls, Brian Norman and Jake Gentile all tallied two shots with seven other Cardinals recording one shot apiece.

Catalfamo picked up his 3rd win of the season, registering three saves over 90 minutes of play.

Fisher returns to the field at 2 p.m. on Saturday as they take on Stevens Institute of Technology in its first Empire 8 conference matchup of the season.