Last Updated:3:56 PM EST 11/20/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Paul Williams Seen here against Clarkson, Mary Dougherty played a key role in the season.

Going into their Empire 8 semifinal matchup with Nazareth College, the St. John Fisher Cardinals wanted to shock the entire conference with an upset over the Golden Flyers.
It was not to be. On Nov. 7, the Cardinals ended their season with a 3-0 loss to Nazareth, resulting in a semifinals exit from the E8 tournament at top-seeded Ithaca College. It was a quick end to what was the Cardinals' first postseason after a two season absence. The Cardinals (6-10-2) lost at Nazareth earlier in the year by the same score.
"The history between us was very important for both teams," senior goalkeeper Ashley Martin said.
The Nazareth team cared not, storming for two goals in three minutes near the end of the first half and adding another score in the second half of its win.
Nazareth, which had a total 16 total shots and 10 shots on target, was so comfortable with it's lead that it swapped in a backup goalkeeper, Polly Muellenkamp, later in the game. Fisher was only able to get two official shots on goal during the match, both in the second half and both saved by Nazareth's Hillary Simon.
Martin, in her final game, was a bright spot for the Cardinals, saving seven shots at goalkeeper.
"It was a game that all of the seniors wanted to win just because of the rivalry with Nazareth," Martin said.
So came to the end St. John Fisher's 2009 season.
At one point, the team had a four game undefeated streak that consisted of three wins and a tie. At another point, they had a four game stretch where they were unable to get a win.
The team went scoreless in it's last three matches.
The Cardinals had trouble on the road, having only two wins and six losses.
Several players were honored by the E8 conference for their performances during the season. Two players were named to the all-conference first team.
Senior Midfielder Mary Dougherty, who had six goals in her final season at Fisher, along with three assists. Joining her on the first team was Megan Gee, a junior midfielder who led the team with nine goals.
Goalkeeper Ashley Martin was named to the all-conference second team while Ashley Florack and Catherine Mibaum received honorable mentions. Amanda Siebert was named the Fisher representative for the Empire 8's "Sportswoman of the Year" award.
"Our team bonded and connected on a different level and that really helped us succeed," Martin said.
The Cardinals will resume play next year down five graduating seniors but also return five returning players who played in at least 15 matches this season.

djg01416@sjfc.edu

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