MADISON, N.J. – Sophomore
Riley Bent scored in the 78th minute and senior
Sarah Crowley made six saves as the Drew University women's soccer team defeated Elizabethtown College 1-0 in the first round of the Landmark Conference Championships on Saturday at a sunny Ranger Stadium.
With the win, the No. 4-seeded Rangers (6-3-8) advance to the championship semifinals and will visit No. 1 seeded Catholic University on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Bent took a cross from freshman
Hannah Stahl and sent a shot into the right side of the net for her team-leading fourth goal of the season and her third game-winner of the year. The goal handed Stahl her team-high fourth assist of the season.
Crowley's shutout gives her a career-high seven clean sheets on the season. She recorded four of her saves in the first half, including a stop on an Etown breakaway in the eighth minute. She also collected a redirected free kick in front of the net in the 21st minute, and she closed out the half with by hauling in a long-range shot in the 44th minute.
The Rangers outshot the Blue Jays 8-5 in the opening half, and the two sides went into the half with the score tied 0-0.
Drew had a good look in the 52nd minute, when senior
Ella Reyngoudt received a cross at the top of the box and ripped a shot just over the cage. Less than two minutes later, Crowley came up with another big stop, hitting the turf to smother a shot from the left side on a Blue Jay counterattack for her final save of the game.
Bent helped create her own scoring opportunity when she came up with a loose ball near midfield. She dribbled down the center of the field and nearly lost possession but recovered to send a ball to Stahl on the left wing. Stahl drew a pair of defenders before rolling a pass back to an open Bent, who sent a left-footer up and over the keeper who had come off her line.
Drew made the goal stand up, as it prevented the Blue Jays from attempting a shot the rest of the way.
Ella Smith finished with three saves for the Etown (6-8-4).
The Rangers will be competing in the Landmark Conference semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years. Drew and Catholic played to a scoreless draw back on Oct. 17 in Ranger Stadium.
