ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. - The Drew University women's lacrosse team celebrated its first game in over a year in impressive fashion, erupting for a 21-8 Landmark Conference victory at Elizabethtown College Saturday afternoon.

Playing for the first time since March 3, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rangers tied the fourth-highest scoring output in team history. 

The Blue and Green, who exploded for 17 first-half goals, had four different players notch a hat trick. Junior Meliha Emini led the way with a career-high-tying four goals and one assist while graduate student Allie DiDario registered three goals, one assist, and nine draw controls. Senior Lauren Cassella added three goals and two assists while junior Hailey Simmons also netted three tallies.2r

Senior Katiana Michalski made four saves over the opening 49:30 while sophomore Anna Horne played the final 10:30, stopping one shot.

Sam Deiaco and Kate ZIegler posted two goals and one assist apiece for the Blue Jays.

The win marked the first victory for Drew Interim Head Coach Kathleen Finnegan.

It was a 3-3 game with 22:07 left in the first half before the Rangers broke it open with a 7-0 run that ballooned into a 16-1 outburst that extended into the second half. Drew led 17-4 at the intermission, as Emini scored all four of her goals in the opening half while DiDario and Simmons each notched all three of their tallies.

Cassella scored back-to-back goals to open the second half and give the Rangers their 19-4 lead. Later in the game, sophomore Gianna Rando and freshman Lizzy Barrett each registered their first collegiate goals.

Drew outshot Etown 28-15 and held a 22-9 advantage in draw controls.

The Rangers continue their season on Wednesday, when they host the University of Scranton in Landmark action at 4 p.m. on Senior Day.