Drew men's soccer took care of business with a 3-0 win over Goucher at Ranger Stadium to complete a Drew sweep of the Gophers on Saturday. Sam Nepveux scored one and assisted on another as Drew built a 2-0 halftime lead. The win is the Rangers' third in a row and brings Drew's record to 4-2-4, 2-0 in the Landmark Conference. Though not tested much, keeper Dave Brigandi presided over the Rangers' eight shutout of the season. Men's soccer joined women's soccer as 3-0 winners over Goucher while field hockey posted a 5-1 win over the Gophers in Maryland.
The Rangers got on the board early thanks to a long ball from Brendan Michael and some strong work up front by Sam Nepveux. Michael won the ball midway through the Ranger defensive half before sending a long ball towards the Rangers forwards. The Gophers let the ball bounce and Nepveux got himself in good position between defender and the ball. The freshman held off his defender while waiting for the pass to reach him and with the keeper bearing down chipped his shot inside the right post.
Nepveux was involved in the second as well; he sent a perfectly flicked header into the path of Anthony Pisani behind the Gophers defense. The senior powered his header in from 10 yards out for his first of the season.
Pisani almost got another from Nepveux's good work. After Nepvuex's clever chip sprung Pisani in behind the defense, the midfielder's lob attempt hung just high of the bar in the Rangers' last clear cut chance of the half.
In the 60th minute, Greg Zizik drew a great save out of Justin Holbrook. The senior crushed a free kick from distance, but Holbrook's diving save prevented the swerving shot from finding the bottom corner.
The Rangers scored a beautiful third in the 73rd minute. Jesse Puzio, playing out wide in midfield, hit a perfect cross from 35 yards out to Jonah Silk who had pulled off his defender. Silk headed home with power for the 3-0 final score.
Though not the best game the Rangers have played all season, they took care of business in knocking off the Gophers (5-5-1, 0-2). At 2-0 in the Landmark, Drew trails only USMMA, which improved to 3-0 in the LC and 10-1 overall with a 1-0 win over Catholic on Saturday. The win gives the Rangers three straight victories and four out of five. It is also the Rangers' eighth shutout of the season. Drew ranked fifth in the NCAA in Goals Against Average with a 0.30 prior to today's clean sheet.
The busy week continues on Monday as Drew travels across Madison Ave. to take on the FDU Devils at 7 pm. A trip to Wednesday against Ramapo precedes a key conference matchup with Scranton on Saturday.
Goucher Gophers (5-5-1, 0-2 LC) vs. Drew Rangers (4-2-4, 2-0)
Date: Oct 03, 2009 Attendance: 223
Weather: overcast, humid, warm
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Goucher Gophers..... 0 0 - 0
Drew Rangers........ 2 1 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 2:28 DREW Sam Nepveux (Brendan Michael) - longball, held off, inside the post
2. 14:47 DREW Anthony Pisani (Sam Nepveux) - 14 heads to 11 behind def, 11 heads in from 10 yards out.
3. 73:00 DREW Jonah Silk (Jesse Puzio) - great cross from 18, great header from 21
Shots: Goucher Gophers 3, Drew Rangers 17
Saves: Goucher Gophers 3 (Justin Holbrook 3), Drew Rangers 1 (David Brigandi 1)
