Drew University Athletics

MADISON, N.J. – The University of Scranton scored in the 88th minute and the Royals edged the Drew University men's soccer team 1-0 in Ranger Stadium Wednesday evening.
 
In an evenly-played match, the Rangers (7-7-3, 1-5-1 LC) held an 11-10 shot advantage while both sides earned two corner kicks and were whistled for 13 fouls.
 
Graduate student David Hoyt made three saves for Drew while Charlie Smith stopped two shots to earn the shutout for Scranton (7-4-4, 4-2-1 LC).
 
A defensive-minded first half featured just six shots, and the Rangers placed the only shot on a goal.
 
The offense began to heat up in the second half, when Scranton held an 8-7 edge in shots.
 
The Rangers nearly broke through with a series of shots in the 60th minute. Senior Thomas Zurkowski delivered a corner kick from the right, and senior Kevin Kiernan headed a shot off the crossbar. Freshman Konstantinos Papanikolas followed up with a header of his own that was destined for the net but headed away by defender Drew Paxson.
 
Kiernan nearly broke through again several minutes later, but his back header was stopped by Smith.
 
Zurkowski had an excellent at the goal in the 87th minute, but Smith made a diving stop on a low show.
 
Scranton broke through when Tyler Colton one-timed a cross from the inside the box. Neither side attempted another shot the rest of the way.
 
The Rangers play their next-to-last game of the regular season on Saturday, when they host Lycoming College at 3:30 p.m. in another Landmark Conference affair.