Drew began its Landmark Conference field hockey campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Moravian at Ranger Stadium. The Rangers spread the offense around with four different goal scorers; Meghan Howlett and Elizabeth Law scored within 75 seconds in the first half as Drew took a commanding 3-0 lead into the break. Maura Acox made eight saves for the Greyhounds and Vita Ranella tallied for the guests. The Rangers improve to 5-3 on the season, 1-0 in the Landmark Conference with the victory of Moravian (4-6).  The Rangers, who were ranked 13th in the NCAA in scoring average at the beginning of the week, have scored three or more goals in six of their eight games.

Off a corner, in the 13th minute Meghan Howlett redirected Nicole DiBattista's blast from the top around the Greyhound keeper for a 1-0 lead. For the sophomore Howlett, the goal is her fifth of the season and the game's opener.

Just a few moments later, Elizabeth Law made it 2-0. A pass tossed into the middle bounced around before Meghan Howlett chipped it to Law eight meters out. The reigning Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year quickly lifted a backhand shot into the net to stun the Greyhounds.

Christine Beckhusen gave Drew a 3-0 lead just halfway through the first half. Nicole DiBattista ripped a shot from the top that Maura Acox did well to save for the Greyhounds, but Beckhusen was first to the rebound. In her new role as The Finisher this season, Beckhusen got behind all of the Greyhound defenders to knock in with ease. Beckhusen makes the most of her chances. The senior has had four shots this season and three have found the back of the goal.

A Ranger mistake gifted the Greyhounds a goal early in the second half. Vita Ranella picked off a square pass in the Ranger backfield to get in alone on Drew's Stef Rutkowski. Rutkowski covered a much goal as possible, but Ranella squeezed it past for a goal.

Sarah Charles took that goal back just a few minutes later. After a series of corners from the Rangers pinned the Greyhounds in their own half, Drew caused a turnover in the final third of the field. Good work from Melissa Kistle forced a loose ball that DiBattista collected 20 yards from goal. The senior whipped a hopeful pass towards goal that had enough pace to skid by three players and onto the waiting stick of Sarah Charles. The first-year attacker picked out the far post with a cool finish.

Stef Rutkowski made a key intervention with five minutes left. Kayla Carson sprung through the Ranger defense in one of the very few moments of concession by the back line, but Rutkowski was quick to cut off the angle for Carson and force her shot wide. Late in the game Law was denied her second goal by a strong defensive save from Stephanie Dellaquilla.

Drew's control for the game can be seen in the statlines. Drew had 21 shots to Moravian's 4 while also recording 12 corners to the Greyhounds' one.

MORFH (4-6) vs. Drew Rangers (6-3)
Date: Sep 26, 2009 Attendance: 100
Weather: sunny, cool

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
MORFH............... 0 1 - 1
Drew Rangers........ 3 1 - 4

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 12:08 DREW Meghan Howlett (Nicole DiBattista)
2. 13:12 DREW Elizabeth Law (Meghan Howlett)
3. 17:55 DREW Christine Beckhusen (unassisted)
4. 41:16 MORFH Vita Ranella (unassisted)
5. 51:51 DREW Sarah Charles (Nicole DiBattista)

Shots: MORFH 4, Drew Rangers 21
Saves: MORFH 8 (Maura Acox 8), Drew Rangers 2 (Stef Rutkowski 2)