PITTSFORD, NY – Hartwick was less than three minutes away from picking up a key Empire 8 win at St. John Fisher (5-8, 3-1 E8) but a late Cardinal goal in regulation and another early in the first overtime handed the hosts a 2-1 victory Sunday at Growney Stadium.
            Freshman Casey Boucher (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) gave the Hawks the lead in the first half following a corner from senior Kylie Thayer (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca). The Hawks held the Cardinals out until the 87:11 mark to send the game into extra time. Fisher scored the game-winner 3:06 into the extra session to escape with the win.
            The Hawks got the start they wanted as they broke through after just 14:15. ’Wick earned a corner and Thayer sent the ball into the near post. Boucher was there to meet it with a low volley to beat Fisher’s Brooke Seavitt and Hartwick was in front.
            The goal marked Boucher’s team-best seventh of the season. It was also Thayer’s seventh assist on the year. She is tied for the league lead in the category.
            In the second half, the Cardinals threw numbers forward as they pressed for the tying goal. They would hold a 15-3 edge in shots in the half but it wasn’t until their final one with 2:49 left in regulation that they got on the scoreboard.
            On the left sideline, Jackie Romano served a bouncing cross into the box to Taryn Guinta just inside the 18. Guinta one-timed the ball and it looped over the head of Hartwick keeper Annie Millar (Ilion, NY/Ilion) and just out of her reach for the tying goal.
            In the overtime, Fisher wasted little time getting the game-winner. A ball popped out of the Hartwick box on the far sideline to Allison Mooney. She delivered a cross into the box which made it through traffic to Romano who was unmarked. She made no mistake, finishing into the corner from near the penalty spot leaving Millar no chance.
            Millar would end the match with six saves for the Hawks. Seavitt stopped three shots for Fisher, two from Thayer and one from Cami Cleaveland (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta).
            The loss drops the Hawks’ overall record to 7-4-1. They are now 3-2-1 in Empire 8 play and have two games remaining on their schedule - an October 25 match at Ithaca and a November 1 game versus Stevens on Elmore. ’Wick is currently in fourth place in the league tables.
            Hartwick hosts Union on Elmore on Wednesday at 7 p.m.