Drew Knocks Off Top Seed To Reach ECAC Final

MAHWAH, N.J. - Adrian Kawuba tucked away a right footed shot in the second overtime to send Drew to the ECAC Metro Tournament Finals with a 1-0 upset of Ramapo.  Kawuba collected a cross from Matthew Greenberg just outside of the box on the left hand side, but had his first shot blocked by a pair of Roadrunner defenders.  The freshman calmly gathered the rebound and slotted home right footed for the deserved winner for Drew.  Jeff Rogers had another strong game in goal for the Rangers making five saves to help stretch Drew's shutout streak to 636 minutes spanning seven games.  The Rangers will face Rutgers-Camden in Camden on Sunday at 1 PM for the title.

The Rangers outplayed the Roadrunners throughout the game and had it not been for a couple of unlucky bounces off the wet grass and a number of nice saves from the Ramapo keeper, the Rangers could have put the game away earlier.  In the second minute of play, Greg Zizik got a clear sight of goal, but fired his shot into Ian Tighe's legs.  A few minutes later, Sharif Elzein snuck in on the back post, but scuffed his shot wide.   After Jeff Rogers made a nice punch to defuse a dangerous corner kick, Andres Callejas set up Zizik in the box, but the sophomore's shot sailed high of the target.  After Jim Rossi headed to the keeper in the 45th minute, the opening period ended knotted at 0-0.

The second half was more of the same with the Rangers having the upper hand, but unable to find the opener and Ramapo looking dangerous on the counter attack.  The muddy field was causing problems as well, slowing the Ranger attack and mitigating their technical advantage.

Jeff Rogers easily collected the Roadrunners first two shots of the second half before the Rangers had their best chance of the period.   Glenn Fitzgerald hit a nice long cross into the box that Kawuba was not able to get to, but forced the Ramapo keeper to punch back into play.  After a scramble, Bobby Sprengel was quickest to ball and put a shot on target that Tighe somehow got a foot on to knock free.
Kawuba fired a warning shot in the 75th minute after a pacy run down the left side, but Tighe gathered his near post effort well.  Jesse Puzio put a pair of headers on target, but neither with real conviction.  Most of Ramapo's chances came via gifted set pieces or on the counter attack as the Ranger defense was again spectacular.  Seniors Glenn Fitzgerald and Dante LaPenta each put in the full shift of 105 minutes to ensure one more game in Ranger colors and Marc Chiarello had a spotless game in the center of defense.  The have not given up a goal since the 22nd minute of the first match against Susquehanna on October 20th. 

The first overtime period past with just a long distance shot from Brian Choma that the rock solid Rogers smothered.   The Rangers did have five corner kicks in the period, but were unable to make anything from them as it began to look like Drew had spoiled its chance to move on to the finals.

The second OT began with Matt Greenberg dragging his shot wide as more and more PKs seemed in the cards.  But, Greenie had one more play in him, winning a ball on the right side of midfield before picking out Kawuba on the left side of the box.  Kawuba got it on his favored left, but after having his first shot stuffed, he kept his cool and finished well with his right inside the near post past a diving Tighe.  The bench went crazy, storming the field before charging over to the Ranger fans (a solid turnout of travelling supporters) to celebrate.  The Rangers have won seven games in a row following a double overtime loss to USMMA back on October 17th that put them even at 7-7.  Now 14-7, the Rangers look to win the third ECAC Championship trophy of the Armuth Years.