MADISON, N.J. – Virginia Wesleyan scored on an improbable shot late in the second overtime and the Drew University field hockey team was edged 3-2 on the opening day of the Drew Fall Festival and the Rangers' season opener Friday evening in Ranger Stadium.
 
With the two sides three minutes from a shootout, Mary Ruffin lifted a shot high into the air and into the upper-right corner of the cage for the game-winner.
 
The Marlins struck first, cashing in on a breakaway goal midway through the second quarter and led 1-0 at halftime. But the Rangers responded with back-to-back goals in the third quarter to assume a 2-1 lead.
 
Senior Alexa Thomas scored Drew's first goal of the season five minutes into the second half, slapping a loose ball past the keeper and into the left side of the cage. Then with four minutes left in the third quarter, senior Jackie Melone sent in a pass from the top of the circle, and it was tipped in from the left post by classmate Maxine Lloyd.
 
The Marlins pulled even less than three minutes into the second quarter when Ava Stauch scored her second goal of the game.
 
In an incredibly even-played game, the Rangers held a slight 16-15 edge in shots while both sides had 12 shots on goal. Senior Olyvia Jackson made nine saves for Drew, as did DJ Holsclaw for Virginia Wesleyan.
 
In the opening game of the day, Cabrini defeated FDU-Florham 3-2.
 
The tournament comes to a close on Saturday, when Cabrini and Virginia Wesleyan face off at 11 a.m. before the Rangers take on FDU at 2 p.m.