A cruel ending to Drew women's soccer season saw the Rangers defeated in a penalty kick shootout by the Susquehanna Crusaders, 4-3, following a 0-0 tie in regulation of the Landmark Conference semifinals.  The Rangers dominated the game, outshooting the Crusaders 19-3, but unable to find the winner in regulation they were victims of a save by Alyssa Kemmerer in the final penalty shot of the game.  The Rangers season ends at 7-8-4 while the Crusaders advance to face Catholic for the Landmark Conference Championship.

Drew had their first chance of the game in the 10th minute of play.  Off a loose ball near the top of the box, Emily Weida hit a half volley wide of the target.  Abby Montgomery had the Crusaders' first chance, but her shot was charged down by Allison McCord inside the box.  Despite Drew's advantage in possession, few chances were created as the playoff atmosphere brought out the best of the defenses, if not the sharp edges of the attack.

Drew had one early chance in the second half as Alyssa Goodman and Emily Weida exchanged passes before Weida fired wide.  The rest of the half continued as a midfield battle with Drew gaining the upperhand.  Drew outshot 13-2 the Crusaders in regulation, pressuring the Susquehanna net from the start.  The guests did a good job forcing the Rangers to shoot from distance for the most part with Kemmerer showing the good hands that earned her the Landmark's best save percentage this season.

The first overtime period went in the slight favor of the Crusaders, but the second to the advantage of the Rangers.  Still, despite a 19-3 Drew advantage in shots, the scoreless tie went to penalty kicks. 

Courtney Carnevale went first for the Rangers, picking out the left post for a goal.  Susquehanna's Abby Montgomery found a similar spot as Carnevale to even it at 1-1.  Allison McCord went second calmly finishing to the keeper's right before Samantha Farina followed with a goal of her own. 

Chelsea LeDuc went next for Drew, scoring in the same spot as McCord.  Gabrielle Magenta came up with the score 3-2 to the Rangers.  DeBarros correctly guessed at the shot hit to her left, but the Ranger could only push it off the post before it rebounded back off DeBarros and over the line. 

Her shot to DeBarros' left was correctly guessed at by the Drew keeper, but she could only knock it off the post before it went in.  Megan Fogarty went fourth for the Rangers, but slid her shot just wide of the left post.  Colleen Kelly put away the Crusaders' fourth with power as Susquehanna maintain the lead. Finally, Emily Weida saw her shot well saved by Kemmerer as the Crusaders rejoiced.

The devastating loss shouldn't taint how well the Rangers played down the stretch.  The Rangers finished the regular season tied with Catholic, only losing top seed by goal differential.  A few inches here or there on Wednesday's night game and the Rangers would be playing for the Landmark Championship.  Instead, the accomplished class of seniors will leave the program in the hands of junior Allison McCord and the Rangers' talented sophomore class.

 
 Susquehanna Crusader (7-7-4) vs. Drew Rangers (7-8-4)
 Date: Nov 04, 2009  Attendance: 200
 Weather: Cool, breezy
 
 Goals by period       1  2 OT O2  Tot
 -------------------------------------
 Susquehanna Crusader  0  0  0  0 -  0
 Drew Rangers........  0  0  0  0 -  0
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
 
 SHOOTOUT RESULTS:
 Susquehanna Crusader: 9/Y 19/Y 24/Y 7/Y
 Drew Rangers: 11/Y 9/Y 22/Y 2/N 20/N
 Susquehanna Crusader wins shootout 4-3
 
 Shots: Susquehanna Crusader 3, Drew Rangers 19
 Saves: Susquehanna Crusader 8 (Alyssa Kemmerer 8), Drew Rangers 1
 (Dana DeBarros 1)
 Susquehanna advances on penalty kicks, 4-3