Drew Stays Hot With Another Non-Conference Win

MADISON, N.J. - Sophomore Lizz Law had a goal and assists on both of Hillary DeCataldo's tallies as the Drew Rangers dominated DeSales, 3-0, in field hockey at Ranger Stadium.  DeCataldo opened and closed the scoring with her first two goals of the season and Lizz Law converted a great chance as the Rangers outplayed the Bulldogs from start to finish.  Keeper Stef Rutkowski had her best game of the season, recording eight saves in the shutout.  Drew improves to 4-1 on the season while DeSales falls to 2-3.

The Rangers opened the game brightly controlling much of the first ten minutes, though DeSales got the first good chance.  Stef Rutkowski made a nice kick save to thwart the Bulldogs' Meghan Iudicello and preserve the zeroes.  The Rangers had a pair of nice flowing offensive moves, but just lacked the finishing touch.  DeSales had another semi-chance after 12 minutes, but Delia Barr made a nice defensive play for Drew.

The breakthrough came after 19 minutes of play.  Jen Schoepflin had won a penalty corner after a great run down the left hand side that included a perfect give and go with Meghan Santaniello.  Off the corner, Schoepflin sent a pass to Law who found an open DeCataldo.  The senior's first attempt was blocked right back to Law, who fed her again; this time, DeCataldo cracked wood for her first goal of the season.

After a largely uneventful end to the first half, Drew came out strong in the second.  Schoepflin worked another nice run with Santaniello, but blasted into the keeper's pads just seven minutes in.

A minute later, Drew got its second as Nicole DiBattasta took a dead ball stroke with an inch perfect pass for Law in the circle.  The sophomore drilled home a first time effort for her third goal of the season.

With the game sitting at 2-0, the Rangers got a pair of key defensive plays to secure the win.  On a Bulldog breakaway, sophomore Liz Young made a great poke check as the last defender in the 61st minute.  In the 67th, Delia Barr made another fine defensive play to prevent a scoring opportunity for DeSales and the Rangers quickly capitalized as DeCataldo put away another penalty corner chance a minute later.  After Schoepflin's pass from the start, the Rangers moved the ball around the top of the circle to Law at the far side, who crossed for DeCataldo to hammer home off a Bulldog defender.  For DeCataldo, the Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Week in week one, the two goals help her match last season's total.

The Rangers have now surpassed last year's win total as the lone loss of the Felicia Cappabianca era came to #12 Johns Hopkins.  The Rangers will look to continue their fine work on Thursday night at Ranger Stadium against William Paterson.