Drew University Athletics

MADISON, N.J. – Junior Ellie Kopec posted two goals and two assists while senior Liriana Seferovic notched two goals and one helper as the Drew University field hockey team held off a late rally to beat Western Connecticut State University 5-4 on Saturday afternoon in Ranger Stadium, earning its first victory of the season.
 
The Rangers never trailed after jetting out to a 4-0 halftime lead. However, the Wolves scored four of the game's last five goals to make it close.
 
Drew doubled WestConn in shots (16-8) and held a 9-7 edge in penalty corners.
 
It was the Kopec-Seferovic show in the early going, as the two combined for the scoring on each of the team's first four goals. Seferovic put the Rangers on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter, converting a feed from Kopec for her first goal of the season. Kopec found Seferovic again with 1:37 remaining in the first quarter to put the Rangers up 2-0.
 
Kopec got into the scoring act with an unassisted tally at the 5:12 mark in the second quarter. She then finished off a feed from Seferovic with 1:43 showing to give Drew its four-goal cushion at the break.
 
The Wolves broke up the shutout just 12 seconds into the second half to make it 4-1, but it would prove to be the only goal of the period. The Wolves pulled to within two when they struck just over a minute into fourth quarter.
 
Sophomore Bella Fini provided what proved to be a crucial insurance goal when she punched in an unassisted tally at the 12-minute mark, giving the Rangers a 5-2 advantage.

WestConn rallied with two goals three and a half minutes apart, drawing to within a goal with 7:50 remaining. However, down the stretch the Rangers held the Wolves to just one shot, which was wide.

Freshman Vanessa Pennella made one save for the Rangers to earn her first career win.

Drew returns to action on Wednesday, when it visits cross-town rival FDU-Florham at 4 p.m. in a non-conference affair.