MADISON, N.J. – Freshman Gabe Di Pierro made his first collegiate goal a game-winner, and senior Calum Erlenborn registered a career-high seven saves as the Drew University men's soccer team pushed its winning streak to five with a 1-0 victory over Wilkes University in a non-conference match-up Saturday evening in Ranger Stadium.
 
Drew improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2015 while the Colonels dropped to 1-2-1.
 
The two sides will become conference opponents next season when Wilkes joins the Landmark Conference with Lycoming College.
 
Erlenborn was challenged early and often in the first half, when he collected six of his saves, none bigger than his sprawling deflection on a penalty kick in the 31st minute. It was the second time already this season that he recorded a PK save, as he also accomplished the feat a week ago in a 2-1 win over New Paltz.
 
Following the PK, Erlenborn made three additional saves in just over two minutes, setting the stage for Di Pierro. In the 37th minute, sophomore Tino Puentes threaded a pass from midfield to the top of the box, where classmate Kevin Kiernan tapped a centering pass to freshman Ethan Steinbiss. The rookie immediately found a wide-open Di Pierro on the left, and he one-timed a shot inside the right post for what held up as the game-winner.
 
The second half turned out to be a defensive battle. Erlenborn made his final stop in the 55th minute, but Drew would not allow another shot on goal the rest of the way. The Rangers didn't put a shot on frame until the 85th minute, when a chip from sophomore Thomas Zurkowski was gloved by Zach Tone. Two minutes later, Tone swatted away three shots in 11 seconds to keep his team in it, and Wilkes managed one final push into Drew territory. However, a deep blast in the 89th minute sailed just over the crossbar.
 
The Rangers finished the night with a 15-12 advantage in shots while the Colonels held a 4-1 edge in corners. Tone ended the evening with four saves.
 
Drew continues its season on Wednesday, when it visits The College of New Jersey in a non-conference tilt starting at 7:30 p.m.