MADISON, N.J. (Sept. 1, 2015) – In an Opening Day defensive triumph, the Drew University women's soccer team refused to allow even a single shot on goal, defeating the Manhattanville College Valiants 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Ranger Stadium.
 
Senior midfielder Shannon Slowey notched the only goal of the contest with the game-winner in the 64^th minute. Sophomore midfielder Katie Weber distributed the ball often and efficiently throughout the contest and earned an assist on Slowey's goal.
 
Senior attacker Melanie Santos led the team with six shots. Senior goalkeeper Sara Nash and junior goalie Andee Higgins split the contest, playing 45 minutes each. Higgins earned the win as she was in net when the game-winner was scored.
 
After several close calls, Drew (1-0) finally broke the scoring drought with 26 minutes to play. Weber broke free from a defender and once she found space, fed it across to Slowey in the box. Left alone one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Slowey simply beat her to the left side. Weber had been creating all day and finally executed.
 
"When you get a great ball like Katie gave me, you better score it," Slowey said.
 
The Rangers' midfield froze the ball at the half line, preventing the Valiant's (0-1) offense from creating any legitimate tries in the first half.
 
"The defense was huge for us," head coach Christa Racine said, "We focus on it and to not give up any shots on goal is huge."
 
The entirety of the offense came from Drew's forwards as Santos tried three different shots. With 20 minutes to play in the first half she found herself shooting a free kick from an unusual location. She was arranged parallel to the net and tried to curve the ball in. The goalie managed to get fingertips on it and the shot was eaten up by Manhattanville's defense.
 
Sophomore defender Emily Bradford got in on the action at 15 minutes when she popped an ambitious shot from about 35 yards out that settled into the goalie's hands.
 
Drew controlled the tempo and pace of the contest throughout. It was able to loft several lead passes deep into the defensive zone. The chances were promising, but the Valiants did just enough to keep the Rangers off the board for the opening two-thirds of the game.
 
The second half opened with Drew's best scoring opportunity of the contest. 14 minutes in, Slowey chased down a long, 30-yard lead pass from Weber. Slowey floated a cross into the zone and senior forward Emma Campbell booted one just above the crossbar. The shutout remained.
 
The 64th-minute goal would prove to be all Drew needed for a successful home opener. The Rangers will now travel to Hackettstown, N.J. for the Cyclone Classic at Centenary College for a two-game series. Drew will take on No. 12 Misericordia University on Saturday, Sept. 5^th at 1:00 p.m. They return to Madison on Saturday, Sept. 12^th at 1:00 p.m. to take on Stockton University in non-conference action.