MADISON, N.J. - Junior Allie DiDario broke the school record for career draw controls and the Drew University women's lacrosse team pulled away late to beat cross-town rival FDU-Florham 9-4 Wednesday afternoon in Ranger Stadium. With the victory, Drew improved to 8-0 - the team's best start since 1997. DiDario, who registered another superb all-around performance, surpassed the former mark of 216 set by Nikki Kleiman (2012-15) and now has 219 for her career. 

Highlights
• The Rangers never trailed after opening the game on a 4-0 run. Freshman Meliha Emini scored the second and fourth goals during the spurt.
• Needing two draw controls to take over the record, DiDario wasted little time reaching the milestone, tracking down a loose ball following the team's third goal.
• In the meantime, Drew was playing lock-down defense, shutting out the Devils over the opening 27 minutes. The Devils (1-3) finally broke the drought with the final tally of the half and it was a 4-1 game heading into the intermission.
• FDU scored two of the first three goals in the second half to narrow the gap to 5-3 with 24:21 remaining. Sophomore Lauren Cassella answered with the next goal for Drew before the two sides played scoreless lacrosse over the next 13 minutes. Sophomore goalie Kat Michalski stood tall during the stretch for Drew, making a pair of saves, including one on a free-position shot.
• Drew broke the game open with a pair of late goals from senior Mia Campanale and freshman Kendall Hartt to build a commanding 8-3 lead with 8:14 left.
• Freshman Mary Laut answered an FDU goal with 2:47 left to set the final score.

Top Performers
• DiDario finished the game with one goal, six ground balls, a season-high six caused turnovers, and four draw controls.
• With two goals apiece, Emini and Hartt led a balanced offensive attack, as seven players combined for Drew's nine goals. 
• Cassella posted one goal and two assists to go with a career-high six ground balls.
• Michalski finished the game with nine saves, including six in the second half, when FDU peppered the cage with 19 shots.

Stat Sheet
The Devils out-shot the Rangers 27-23, but Drew held a 26-16 advantage in ground balls. The Rangers allowed just one goal on 12 FDU free-position shots. 

Next Up
Drew plays its Landmark Conference opener on Saturday, when it hosts Juniata College at noon.