WASHINGTON, DC - The Drew University women's lacrosse team saw its 2022 season come to a close with a 16-9 loss at 17th-ranked Catholic University in the semifinals of the Landmark Conference Championships Wednesday evening.

The Rangers, who were making their fifth-straight appearance in the Landmark Conference postseason, closed out the year with an 11-6 record. Taking away the Covid-shortened 2021 and 2020 seasons, Drew has now posted a double-digit victory total in four straight seasons.

Senior Hailey Simmons paced the Rangers with four goals and one assist while classmate Meliha Emini tied a career-high with nine draw controls for the second in a row. Junior Anna Horne made 14 saves, tying her third-highest total of the season.

Kate Olsen led Catholic (12-4) with five goals.

Sophomore Lizzy Barrett scored two minutes into the game to tie the score at 1-1, but Catholic scored six unanswered to go up 7-1 with 8:35 still left in the opening quarter. Barrett assisted Simmons with 7:11 on the clock to snap the run, but the hosts scored the final two goals of quarter to go up 9-2 at the end of the period.

The Rangers answered with four in a row to make it a three-goal game with 5:23 left in the opening half. Simmons started the spurt less than a minute into the second quarter, then assisted senior Jenna Draney to make it 9-5 a minute later. Senior Kendall Hartt added a goal before Simmons struck again to cap the rally. 

The Cardinals ended the run when Olsen scored with 2:51 showing and the hosts carried a 10-6 lead into the locker room. The goal was the start of a key 7-0 Catholic run that spanned the final three quarters, as the Cardinals extended their lead to 16-6 with 7:48 remaining.

The Rangers refused to go quietly, however, and scored the final three goals of the night. Simmons netted her final tally with 7:07 remaining before sophomore defender Catherine DiPatri struck with 2:42 left. Emini just beat the buzzer in the closing seconds for her final collegiate goal to set the final score.