ALBANY, N.Y. – On a hot September afternoon at UAlbany, Russell Sage College Field Hockey got out to a strong start before falling 8-3 to visiting Saint John Fisher.

The Gators netted goals on their first two shots to hold a 2-0 lead just 4:58 into the Empire 8 Conference matinee.  SJFU (3-5/1-0 E8) answered just 45 seconds later to half its deficit and stem the RSC momentum.

Sophomore midfielder Cheyanne Zobel (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) registered two goals and an assist, while midfielder Alexa Wentz (Whitney Point, NY/ Whitney Point), a grad student, added a goal and an assist.

The visiting Cardinals out-shot RSC 38-13, including holding a 25-5 advantage on shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Jaia Caron (Bellows Falls, VT/Bellows Falls Union) totaled 17 saves, including one on a third quarter penalty stroke to keep it a 5-3 contest.

Senior forward Molly Fisher scored three goals to pace SJFU.

RSC (0-5/0-2 E8) plays next on Wednesday at Manhattanville. Start time is set for 4:00 PM.

Gator Bites: The fall marks the first with Head Coach Carissa Warren leading the Gators…She arrived to Albany from two-time defending Empire 8 Conference Champion Hartwick…RSC made the E8 Championship Tournament for the first time in 2023…11 players, including All-Conference selections: Wentz, Caron, forward Alyssa Fitzgerald (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury), a grad student, and Zobel, returned from the squad…Caron holds the program record for most career shutouts with four...She was selected the E8 Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, September 8…Fitzgerald opened the autumn with 29 career goals and 64 career points, both second all-time among RSC players…She tied for second in the E8 with 17 goals last season…As a rookie, Zobel ranked seventh in the country and second in the E8 with 0.75 assists per-game.