MADISON, N.J. (March 15, 2015) – On a chilly night in Ranger Stadium, the FDU-Florham Devils defeated the Drew University men's lacrosse team by a score of 7-4 in the Battle of Madison Avenue.   
 
The loss came despite a hat trick from freshman attacker Harry Rice. His career high three goals came on 13 shots. Freshman midfielder Joe Palmieri added a goal of his own, and sophomore attacker Tom Cotroneo mixed in an assist on Rice's first conversion.
 
Despite the opening minutes of the contest taking place deep in the Rangers' defensive zone, Drew struck first blood when Cotroneo worked his way into FDU's zone on a tough angle. He quickly dished to Rice in the slot who used his momentum to fire home the first goal of the contest. The successful conversion was Rice's fifth of the year and the assist was Cotroneo's third.
 
The Devils responded with a goal of their own quickly soon after and then again with just three seconds remaining in the first quarter to take a 2-1 lead.
 
Rice netted another with 1:20 left in the half when he took everything himself, waltzing into the zone, protecting the ball and finishing strong.
 
With only seconds to play in the half, the Devils goalie, looking for a long bomb, carried well out of the net. Rice, stalking his pray, sprinted after the netminder, wound up and drilled the goalie's stick, knocking the ball loose. Rice collected his own caused turnover and converted the empty-net try. Rice's third goal tied FDU's total and the teams went to break tied at 3-3.
 
By the start of the fourth quarter FDU had answered a goal by Palmieri with two of their own.
 
The Devils spent the majority of the fourth quarter in the Ranger zone, making the most of their oppressive presence. FDU distributed the ball briskly around the perimeter, firing it to streaking attackers. They ended the contest in control.
 
Landmark Conference play resumes as Drew hosts Susquehanna University for an afternoon game at Ranger Stadium on Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m.