MADISON, N.J. (Sept. 26, 2015) – With a diving header in the 48^th minute, junior midfielder Ian Pavlak drove the No. 23 Drew University men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the Manhattanville College Valiants on a breezy Saturday afternoon at Ranger Stadium.
 
With a flick-on in the box that sprung Pavlak, freshman defender Marlon Rodriguez registered his first career point, earning an assist on the conversion. The goal garnered the first two points of the season for Pavlak's.
 
The Rangers let fly a total of 21 shots with junior midfielder Cole Leckburg leading the way with five attempts. Pavlak tried three shots on goal.
 
It took just three minutes in the second half for the Rangers (7-1-1) to break the scoreless tie. Sophomore forward Benjamin Audi set up for a free kick 30 yards from the net. Audi lofted one that Rodriguez rose up to flick on in the box. The flick beat the keeper and dangerously approached the goalmouth. Pavlak came flying into the frame, projected himself forward, and heading the ball into the empty net to finish the job. 1-0 Drew with 42 minutes to play.
 
With 21 minutes to go, the Valiants (4-3-1) threatened Drew with their first legitimate scoring opportunity. A soaring corner kick flew into the box and a Valiant attacker headed one down onto the turf, sending a bouncing ball towards the unguarded side of the net. Junior goalie John Marques sprinted the goal line and dove to pat away try. The save kept the score at 1-0, Drew.

Click here to watch the save. 

Marques logged his fifth shutout of what has begun as a successful season. 
 
The Rangers and Valiants played a defense-heavy brand of soccer in the opening half. Drew held Manhattanville without a shot on goal. Rodriguez kept attackers off the ball by boxing them out and keeping balanced. Rodriguez's physicality, which has accented his style of play throughout the season, was matched by senior defender and captain Daniel Giraldo.
 
For offense in the opening half, the Rangers attempted multiple times to spring junior striker Bass Etta-Ashu with deep lob passes. Juniata's defense, however, held strong and limited Etta-Ashu, not letting him break free.
 
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, the Rangers adjusted their offensive attack. They arranged with multiple men in the box. Etta Ashu collected the ball, considered a shot, instead dished it to freshman midfielder Anthony McMyne who fired down the middle, just high. The game remained scoreless and would stay that way until halftime. 

Drew opened the second half with a goal and that's all the action it'd need to take the victory. 
 
The Rangers homestand rolls on as New York University comes to Madison on Tuesday, Sept. 29^th for a non-conference match slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.