Drew Rides All-Around Effort To Non-Conference Win
MADISON, N.J. - A strong defensive effort and a pair of timely goals keyed Drew to a 2-0 win over Stevens Tech in field hockey on Wednesday night. Lizz Law scored half way through the first period and Jen Schoepflin added a late insurance goal to capitalize on the shutout. Drew improves to 8-4 with the quality non-conference win.
The Rangers survived a few early threats from the Ducks in the first ten minutes of the game to hold the scoreless tie. Nicole Gagliardi made a nice play to thwart a Duck breakaway in the 12th minute for Drew. The Rangers nearly capitalized on the stop as Ryan Hoover's fine cross just eluded Lauren Fabrizio streaking to the far post.
The Rangers did get on the board in the 17th minute as Nicole DiBattista found Lizz Law at the far post to tip in for a 1-0 lead. DiBattista got the rebound to her own blocked shot and carried all the way around the top of the circle to the right hand side. The sophomore slid a pass into the center that Law redirected past the Ducks keeper.
The goal culminated a nice spell of pressure from the Rangers during which Law and Nicole DiBattista got off shots on the Ducks' keeper.
Drew nearly got another after a half hour of play, but Jen Schoepflin's shot following a nice set up by Gagliardi hit the side of the board. In the final minutes of the half, Gagliardi came up big again, diving to clear a Stevens shot from trickling into the net. Stef Rutkowski had a strong half in goal for the Rangers, making six saves.
The second half began the same as the first with the two teams playing back and forth for the first 15 minutes of play. Lizz Law had Drew's first real opportunity of the second in the 50th minute as she blasted into Stephanie Smith's pads off a corner.
The Rangers continued to win corners throughout the second half, but could not find the insurance goal through the first 55 as the clock watching began. The 60th minute came and went. Five minutes later, the 62nd minute. Ten minutes after that, the 65th.
Drew finally got the crucial second goal with just over two minutes remaining the game. Jen Schoepflin played a nice one-two with Meghan Santaniello on the left side before carrying into the circle and firing into the near post for a 2-0 lead.
In the final minute, Stevens won a corner that could have led to a nervy finish, but Delia Barr made a crucial intervention to stop the Ducks attack and start a counter for the Rangers. Smith made a key save for the Ducks as she denied Law on a breakaway, but the score was settled, 2-0 to the Rangers.
The Rangers' organized and determined defensive effort was the key to the victory. Santaniello and DiBattista anchored the center of the midfield while the defensive trio of Gagliardi, Barr and Allison Segal kept the Ducks from getting many good shots off against Rutkowski. The Ranger keeper made all nine saves she needed to for the shutout.
Drew improves to 8-4 with the win over the now 10-3 Ducks. The Rangers get back into action against Catholic in a Landmark Conference match on Saturday.