Drew field hockey suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Catholic Cardinals, 4-3, at Ranger Stadium on Saturday. Drew had rallied from two goals down to take a 3-2 lead in the second half only to see Tracey Scanlon complete her hat trick with the tying and then game winning goals. Nicole DiBattista scored one and assisted on another for the Rangers. The Rangers (11-6, 2-3) are now tied with Moravian for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Landmark while Catholic (10-4, 3-2) clinched a berth with the win.

Drew had the first good opportunity as Elizabeth Law's run down the sideline saw her have a look at Sarah Charles on the far post. Law's pass was a bit too quick as it flew past the waiting Charles. Law had the next chance as well, but saw her attempt to squeeze between the pads of the keeper denied by a nice save from Marian Cassilly.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Meredith Chandler had taken up a good position inside the box with a Ranger on her back. Holding off her defender, Chandler posted up to the right of goal before finishing just inside the left corner of the net.

They added their second just two minutes later as a breakdown in the Ranger defense gave the Cardinals an easy chance. A pass sent down the middle of Drew's half bounced among two Ranger defenders and a pair of Catholic attackers. Eventually, the ball fell out to Tracey Scanlon who chipped it just inside the far post with Fasano charging off her line.

The Rangers pulled one back with six minutes left in the half. Off a corner, Law ripped a shot that Cassilly did well to save. The rebound fell right to Nicole DiBattista who crashed it home from eight meters out to bring it back to a one goal game.

Off another penalty corner, Drew got the equalizer with just under two minutes remaining. Law had just been subbed out of the game due to an injury, so Hannah Rau had taken up her spot on the next corner. It proved a fortunate accident as Nicole DiBattista shifted a pass over to Rau on the right side. The sophomore blasted her shot into the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

Drew went ahead in the 57th minute. Sarah Charles has been in great form of late, scoring in each of her previous two games. On Saturday, the first-year forward scored her biggest goal of the season. Charles charged down the left side before chipping in from an acute angle. Both Law and Stacie Brown were there to make sure, but didn't need to touch it as the shot hit off the far post and trickled in.

Just three minutes later, the Cardinals were the ones who scored an equalizer. Down for the first time in the contest, but not for long, Scanlon was in perfect position to get the lucky bounce as a pass hit the post and ricocheted to her in front of goal. The sophomore left no doubt as she hammered it in from close range.

Just a few minutes after the Catholic goal, the rains came down with urgency flooding the field and slowing the pace of the game dramatically.

It was Scanlon again in the 68th minute grabbing the surprise winner in the wetlands. Mary Swarthout carried to the endline on the right side before firing towards goal. Stef Rutkowski made the initial save, but again Scanlon was in the perfect spot as she crashed in the final goal of the game.

The loss puts the Rangers back in a familiar and uncomfortable place. Last season, Drew finished the year tied for fourth in the Landmark, but lost out on the playoff spot due to tiebreak rules. The Rangers are now 2-3, even with Moravian and one game ahead of Scranton. Drew travels to third place Susquehanna on Halloween to attempt to secure their place in the Landmark Playoffs. A win over the Crusaders would not only put the Rangers in the playoffs, but also give them the third seed. A loss means Drew would need some help to secure the berth. The Greyhounds have these same Cardinals at home next Saturday while the Royals take on last place Goucher.

Catholic Cardinals (10-4, 4-1) vs. Drew Rangers (11-6, 2-3)
Date: Oct 24, 2009 Attendance: 207
Weather: overcast, showers

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Catholic Cardinals.. 2 2 - 4
Drew Rangers........ 2 1 - 3

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 19:30 CUA Meredith Chandler (unassisted) - from right post to inside far post
2. 21:27 CUA Tracey Scanlon (unassisted) - scramble in box, chipped in
3. 28:59 DREW Nicole DiBattista (unassisted) - shot from middle
4. 33:27 DREW Hannah Rau (Nicole DiBattista) - shot down the middle
5. 47:29 DREW Sarah Charles (unassisted) - shot from corner to opposite corner
6. 50:25 CUA Tracey Scanlon (unassisted) - pass off post 13 from close range
7. 68:43 CUA Tracey Scanlon (unassisted) - shot from right side

Shots: Catholic Cardinals 8, Drew Rangers 8
Saves: Catholic Cardinals 4 (Marian Cassilly 4), Drew Rangers 2 (Stef
Rutkowski 1; Lauren Fasano 1)