MADISON, N.J. - The Drew University women's lacrosse team gave 17th-ranked Catholic University all it could handle in a 13-11 Landmark Conference (LC) loss to the Cardinals on Thursday afternoon in Ranger Stadium.

The Rangers (9-4, 2-2 LC) trailed by five early in the fourth quarter but came storming back with a 6-1 run, tying the game at 10-10 with 13:25 remaining. However, that's when Catholic (8-4, 4-0 LC) struck for a quick 3-0 run in less than a minute to go up by three, and neither team would score again until sophomore Lizzy Barrett converted with 13 seconds left for Drew.

The outcome marked the closest game between the two teams since a 12-11 Catholic victory in the 2011 Landmark Conference championship game.

In a game that featured a one-hour lightning delay, Barrett and senior Jenna Draney led Drew with three goals apiece while senior Hailey Simmons posted two goals and two assists. Senior Meliha Emini added two goals, seven draw controls, and a pair of caused turnovers while classmate Kendall Hartt registered one goal, two assists, five ground balls, and six draw controls. Defensively, sophomore Catherine DiPatri totaled five GBs and two CTs while junior Anna Horne made 12 saves and picked up five ground balls.

Kate Olsen and Julia Piet scored four goals each to pace the Cardinals.

Barrett and Draney scored once apiece in the opening quarter to give the Rangers their 2-1 lead. Both teams were then sent off the field due to lightning in the area and play resumed an hour later. Catholic outscored Drew 6-2 in the second quarter to open up a 7-4 halftime advantage. Simmons and Hartt accounted for the Rangers' second-period goals.

Catholic tacked on a pair of goals to start the third quarter, building a 9-4 advantage, before the floodgates opened for the Rangers. With a light rain coming down, Barrett and Emini each struck to make it a 9-6 game with 4:14 left in the third quarter. Catholic scored with 3:02 on the clock before the hosts reeled off a 4-0 run. 

Draney and Simmons each scored to make it 10-8 at the end of the third quarter. Draney and Emini followed up with one tally each to begin the fourth quarter to pull the Rangers even with 13:25 left, setting up Catholic's late rally.

The Rangers continue their season on Wednesday, when they visit the University of Scranton at 7 p.m. in another Landmark Conference tilt.