Somps, Rangers Storm Past Mariners

Box Score
BAYVILLE, N.Y. (April 16, 2011) – The Rangers scored nine first half goals including the first five of the game to down Merchant Marine, 14-6 on the road. Freshman Andrew Somps (East Lyme, Conn./East Lyme) recorded his first career hat trick for three of his four points on the afternoon.

Drew (7-4, 2-1 Landmark) blew the game wide open in the first period of play scoring five-straight goals, four coming within three minutes of each other. Somps had a hand in three of the first five scores, scoring the game's first goal just 1:02 in the game, assisting on Eric Tripp's (Glen Cove, N.Y./Glen Cove) ninth of the spring and netting the fourth goal of the day with 2:51 remaining in the quarter.

Michael Ackerman finally got Merchant Marine (4-10, 0-3 Landmark) on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal in the closing seconds of the first quarter. He'd come back in the in the second frame and score his second goal of the day making the score 6-2 with 10:55 remaining in the half.

That would be the closest the Mariners would come for the rest of the contest. The Ranger defense surrendered only six goals on the day. It marked the third time in four games that Drew has held their opponent to six or less goals. Goalkeeper Charlie DeSocio (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia) made a career-high 18 saves to earn his seventh win on the year.

Sophomore Steve Gentile (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Indian Hills) also had one of his best performances of his Drew career. The midfielder matched a career-high with four points, netting three goals and assisting on another. He went on to scoop up a game-high and career-best, seven ground balls on the day.

Sean McGowan (Milltown, N.J./Saint Joseph's) had tremendous day in the faceoff circle. The junior won 13-of-19 matchups to goal along with seven ground balls, a goal and an assist.

The Rangers will return to the field on Tuesday in their shortest road trip of the season. Drew will travel down the road to take on cross-street rival Fairleigh Dickinson in the first meeting since the 2007 season.