BROCKPORT, N.Y. – In a match up of national caliber competition, The No. 3/14 College at Brockport women's lacrosse team went toe-to-toe with the No. 13/18 St. John Fisher College, just missing, 13-9.
 
The Golden Eagles pick up just their first loss of the season, moving to 6-1 on the year while the Cardinals improve to 4-2 in 2017.
 
In a tight contest, the pace in the first half was evenly matched. Fisher opened strong, working in two straight goals to start play to post the early 2-0 lead. The Brockport offense awoke to score four straight. Jillian Babinsky got things started, burying a Heather Conklin set up at the 26-minute mark. A minute later, Andrea Zlinsky put away a Kelly Wall pass to knot the contest at 2-2.
 
Jessica Boddery kept the scoring coming, finishing on a quick Zlinsky setup in front of the goal to give the Green and Gold their first lead of the contest. Hannah Cullen scored the final Golden Eagle goal of the run, to post a 4-2 lead.
 
The Golden Eagles saw their opponent's offense spark, as they embarked on a three-goal run to the 12:32 mark, regaining the lead at 5-4. Chloe Kurst picked up a timely goal to re-tie the contest, her first goal of her Brockport career. The Cardinals would work in a shot less than a minute later, but Conklin worked to give the Green and Gold the final say of the half, as she converted on the free-position shot to tie the contest at 6-6 heading into the break.
 
Boddery came out strong in the second half, notching the Brockport goal to give the Green and Gold a 7-6 lead. The Golden Eagle advantage was short-lived, as Fisher embarked on a five-goal run to regain the lead and build a cushion. Boddery again stepped up, stopping the Cardinal streak working in a score at the 6:13 mark to make the count 11-8.
 
The two teams would trade goals within 30 seconds of one another, with Wall finding the back of the cage after a Cullen pass that would bring the count to 12-9 with 2:10 to play. After the Golden Eagles were forced to pull their keeper after a Green and Gold penalty, Fisher netted a goal on an open net, as Brockport would fall 13-9.
 
It was a close fight through and through, as Fisher took the edge in shots 25-24, and ground balls, 16-14. Brockport went 13-for-16 on clears and forced 12 Cardinals turnovers.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Cassandra Minerd scooped up three ground balls, won three draws and picked up a caused turnover. Sarah Brown got the start, and in 35 minutes of play made three saves while Sara Shaddock came in for over 24 minutes, and made some key stops grabbing seven saves.
 
The Golden Eagles will be back in action on April 1 when they open conference play at home, hosting SUNY Oswego at 1 p.m.
 
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