Another outstanding defensive display and another clutch goal from Tony Pisani helped the Rangers tie with the visiting Muhlenberg Mules, 1-1, at Ranger Stadium on Saturday.  Drew held Muhlenberg, which had been receiving votes in the NSCAA Top 25, to its season low in shots and ended their five match road winning streak.  The Rangers now stand at 6-3-5 while the Mules are 8-3-1. 

Muhlenberg got on the board first with a surprising opener.  Against the run of play, Mike Williams scored on an uncontested volley off Eric Miller's lobbed assist.  The Mule junior crunched it into the top of the net.  Drew's keeper Dave Brigandi had no chance to keep out the nice goal.

Drew worked its way back into the game, but need John Jabar to make a great late intervention to prevent a breakaway in the 32nd minute.  Given the reprieve the Rangers made it count as they equalized in the 40th minute. 

A handball in the box gave the Rangers a golden opportunity.  Tony Pisani picked out the top corner and had enough behind it to power through the keeper's touch.  It was Pisani's second goal in as many games and third of the season.

At 1-1, the Rangers got one more big defensive play before the end of the half.  Curtis Fornarotto pressured Eric Williams enough to push it wide in the final minute following a corner kick.  

The Rangers had the first good chance of the second period.  Off a free kick, Greg Zizik sent it to Sam Nepveux at the back post, but the freshman's header flashed just wide of the post. 

Dave Brigandi made a terrific save in the 75th minute.  A scramble outside the box fell to Evan Rubin.  The shot made it through traffic, but Brigandi, given a late view of it, responded well to punch over the bar.

More and more the Rangers took control of the game.  Drew had a number of chances, but no more goals.  Greg Zizik had a long shot saved easily by Jason Daniels.  Later, Zizik's header beat Daniels, who had come out, but Gehrmann headed it away a few steps from the goal line.   

Brigandi came up with another big save in the 83rd minute.  Mike Gehrmann had gotten behind the Ranger defense, but could only head on a long ball that Brigandi grabbed.  The save helped Drew force the game into overtime.

The first overtime period was all Muhlenberg, but the Ranger defense did not break.  In the second overtime the teams switched roles with Drew having the upper hand, but to no avail.  The Mules almost pulled out a dramatic late winner, but Mike Cecconi's header sailed just high of the goal off a corner in the final seconds of play.   

The tie is the Rangers' fifth of the season, but should count among their better performances.  The Mules came into the game at 8-3 and winners of seven of eight (the only loss an OT defeat at #14 Johns Hopkins).  Muhlenberg was previous 5-0 on the road including a win over #10 Dickinson.  Instead, the Rangers rarely looked like they could lose once Pisani equalized until the first overtime period and held the Mules to a season low 11 shots despite the 20 extra minutes of play.  Brigandi was called upon just twice for saves, but twice he came up big.  The Rangers' plan to man-mark the Mules top midfielder worked perfectly as Joe Mitchell's defensive performance helped neutralize the guests' attack.

Drew moves on to Landmark Conference action for the rest of the season.  The Rangers travel to Juniata on Saturday then USMMA next Wednesday.  Drew closes out the season with an away trip to Catholic before hosting Susquehanna at home on October 31st.
 
 MUHL (8-3-1) vs. Drew Rangers (6-3-5)
 Date: Oct 14, 2009  Attendance: 250
 Weather: Cold
 
 Goals by period       1  2 OT O2  Tot
 -------------------------------------
 MUHL................  1  0  0  0 -  1
 Drew Rangers........  1  0  0  0 -  1
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  19:10 MUHL Mike Williams (Eric Miller)
  2.  40:14 DREW Anthony Pisani Penalty kick
 
 Shots: MUHL 11, Drew Rangers 18
 Saves: MUHL 9 (Jason Daniels 7; TEAM 2), Drew Rangers 2 (David
 Brigandi 2)