MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University women's lacrosse team played its home opener on Wednesday and was handed a 19-6 setback by Rowan University in a sunny and cold Ranger Stadium.
 
Sophomore Aubrey Welch scored three goals for the Rangers while senior Mary Kate Davidson netted one goal and tied a career-high with seven ground balls. Senior Rachael West posted one goal and one assist, and classmate Lizzy Barrett also scored a goal. Defensively, freshman Paige Shaw made 10 saves while senior Kayla Schaefer registered three caused turnovers.
 
Molly Green totaled four goals and one assist for the Profs, who were playing their season opener.
 
After Rowan netted the first three goals of the game Welch put Drew on the scoreboard with 11:26 left in the opening quarter. The Profs responded with four unanswered tallies before Welch struck again late in the period, and the visitors led 7-2 at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Profs raced out to a 5-0 run to start the second stanza before Welch stemmed the rally with her third and final goal of the game, which made it 12-3 with 8:37 left in the half. Rowan tacked on two more goals to assume a 14-3 lead at the intermission.
 
Rowan went on to outscore the Rangers 3-1 in the third quarter, when West scored for Drew, before two sides played even (2-2) in the final period.    
 
The Rangers continue their season on Saturday, when they host Vassar College at noon in another non-conference outing.