Once again Drew's defense was so good that one goal was plenty as the Rangers won a crucial conference match, 1-0, at USMMA on Wednesday night.  Greg Zizik's brilliant 30-yard free kick goal in the first half was held up by Drew's 12^th shutout of the season.  Keeper Jeff Rogers made all three saves necessary.  Drew is now in sole possession of first place in the Landmark Conference with a 5-0 record while the Mariners drop into second place at 5-1.  The Rangers have two more matches left: against third place Catholic and fifth place Susquehanna.

The game's lone goal was scored by Greg Zizik in the 39^th minute.  Following a foul thirty yards out from the Mariner goal, the senior scored a beautiful free kick to stun the Mariners.  For the reigning Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year, it is just his third goal of the season, but all three have been in conference play and two have been game-winners in 1-0 decisions.

Drew had the better of the first 40 minutes of play, so the goal was justified.  Rogers had to make one of his three saves just a couple of minutes later as Ryan Hadley's drive from distance was smothered by the junior keeper. 

After the break Drew came close again.  John Jabar, the reigning Landmark Defensive Player of the Week, headed off the crossbar.  Kevin Walpole followed up, but his shot was cleared off the line by a Mariner.  Drew continued to push for the insurance goal, but both Zizik and Tony Pisani fired wide before the 75^th minute.

USMMA had their best stretch of play between the 75^th and 85^th minutes.  Clint Foster's shot was blocked before Andrew MacKenzie sent his attempt wide of goal.  Rogers denied Foster's header and later stop Casey Desiderio's shot in the 84^th.  Desiderio was left to try again in the 88^th, but could only send his attempt high of the target. 

The Rangers outshot the Mariners just 14-12, but put eight of their attempts on goal compared to USMMA's three.  Drew also held the slight edge in corner kicks as well.

The win puts Drew at the top of the Landmark Conference standings and clinches a playoff berth for the Rangers.  With 15 points, the Rangers are five points clear of third place Catholic (3-1-1) and currently tied with the Mariners (5-1) – though Drew obviously holds the head-to-head tiebreaker and has a game in hand.  Up next is a trick trip down to Catholic on Sunday.  The Cardinals, you may remember, were shocking winners over the Rangers last November in the Landmark playoffs.  With the win, Drew improves to 16-3-1 all-time in the Landmark Conference. 
 
 Drew Rangers (8-3-5, 5-0 LC) vs. USMMA (14-2, 5-1 LC)
 Date: Oct 21, 2009  Attendance: 200
 Weather:
 
 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 ------------------------------
 Drew Rangers........  1  0 -  1
USMMA...............  0  0 -  0
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  32:34 DREW Greg Zizik (unassisted) - direct kick from 30 yards 
 Shots: Drew Rangers 14, USMMA 12
 Saves: Drew Rangers 3 (Jeff Rogers 3), USMMA 7 (Gary Poulin 6; TEAM 1)