One great goal and an outstanding defensive display led Drew women's soccer to a 1-0 win over Susquehanna and a home game in the Landmark Conference playoffs next week.  Emily Weida's 48th minute proved the game winner and helped Drew clinch its first appearance in the conference tournament.  The Rangers still have a chance at the top seed, but await the result of tomorrow's match between Moravian and Catholic.  

Susquehanna had the first good chance of the game in the eighth minute of the game.  Drew had the majority of possession to that point, but off Abby Montgomery's second chance at a cross Samantha Price headed wide. 

Drew's first chance came from a great play.  Emily Tine had worked hard to keep the ball in the Ranger attacking half.  Chelsea LeDuc tossed in a cross that Christine Mecon was able to chip towards Courtney Carnevale after Emily Weida's touch.  Carnevale took the ball on the half-volley, but crunched her shot just wide right of the target.  Just a moment later, LeDuc's cross found Meconi in the box, but the sophomore could only flash her header wide on the other side.

Carnevale had another chance with ten minutes left in the half.  Megan Fogarty's patience on the ball helped create space for Carnevale just outside the 18 yard box.  The first-year's shot was well struck, but right at Alyssa Kemmerer.

Kim Miranowic was next up to come, oh-so-close.  The senior's free kick from 25-yard was absolutely hammered, but crashed against the bar with the Susquehanna keeper beat.  Miranowic has now hit the bar or post at least five times off free kicks this season.  Anymore thunderbolts from the senior's right foot may break the frame of the goal.

A sweet goal from the Emilys gave Drew the 1-0 lead.  It all started with a fine defensive play from Allison McCord in the Ranger half.  The junior cut off a pass and coolly picked out Megan Fogarty tucked inside a bit.  Fogarty beat her defender outside before sending in a dangerous cross.  The first attempt was cleared back to Fogarty whose second cross was cleared to Emily Tine, 25 yards out.  The Crusaders defense had been scrambled by Fogarty's incursion which Tine took advantage of to slide a perfectly weighted pass for Weida to the right side of goal.  The sophomore's first time shot from a very tight angle found the side netting for the 1-0 scoreline in the 48th minute.

A nice play by Tara Brancato saved goal for the Crusaders.  Brancato was a half step quicker to the ball to prevent Weida having an open net and the score at 1-0. 

Drew's Dana DeBarros was in goal, deputizing for the injured Kim Jaikissoon.  The sophomore played a flawless game behind a defense that played so well little was asked of the keeper.  When called upon, DeBarros made two big plays.  She came up big with seven minutes left in the half.  An unlucky deflection of a clearance sent the ball bounding deep into the Ranger half.  It appeared that Susquehanna's top scorer Abby Montgomery would get to the it first, but DeBarros was quick off her line to clear just in front of the Crusader.  DeBarros made one more big play, grabbing a dangerous ball in traffic near the six yard box with just over two minutes left to play.

Despite a nervy final few minutes to the game, the Rangers were able to hold off the Susquehanna challenge and secure the critical victory.  With the win, Drew has earned a home game in the playoffs though the seed is still up in the air as it depends upon the result of tomorrow's Moravian/Catholic match.  With 13 points, Drew sits atop the standings at the moment.  Both Moravian and Catholic have ten points (3-1-1) and both hold a tiebreaker over the Rangers should one team win tomorrow.  A tie between the two is the best case scenario for the Rangers, but with any result the Forest will host a Landmark Playoff Doubleheader on Wednesday at Ranger Stadium.