UTICA, NY- The Utica College women's lacrosse team ran into a tough test Saturday as it fell to nationally ranked No. 15 St. John Fisher College, 8-2, in Empire 8 Conference action. Senior Courtney Wheeler (Ava, NY/Rome Free Academy) scored both goals for Utica.
 
The Pioneers got out to a great start as they held the Cardinals scoreless through the first 15 minutes of play.  Each team traded opportunities in the first half, but it was Utica that would strike first, at 15:41, as Wheeler took a ball at the top of the arc, ran in, and placed a perfect shot just inside the far post for her 22^nd of the season.  The Cardinals would respond just over a minute later as Olivia Marziale took a feed from Sierra Badger and netted her fourth of the year.
 
St. John Fisher went on to score two more goals, both off the stick of Jordan Johnson, to take a 3-1 lead into halftime.  The Cardinals wore down the Pioneer defense as they tacked on five more goals in the second half.  UC was able to add another goal with just under two minutes remaining as Wheeler scored on a free position, but it was not enough.
 
Fisher's Hayley Peets made three saves as she improved to 7-1 on the season, while senior Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy) and sophomore Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) combined for five saves in the loss.
 
The Pioneers (6-4, 1-1 Empire 8) return to action next Saturday as they host Stevens Institute of Technology.  Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.