Drew University Athletics

MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University field hockey team scored a pair of third-quarter goals to erase a two-goal deficit, but Neumann University netted the final three tallies to hand the Rangers a 5-2 setback in their home and season opener Wednesday afternoon in Ranger Stadium.
 
Trailing 2-0, freshman Allison Brady and junior Emily Caporrino scored just over a minute apart early in the stanza to pull the Rangers even. However, the Knights struck for the go-ahead goal late in the third quarter before tacking on a pair of insurance tallies in the final period.
 
Neumann, which received a goal and two assists from Jess Silver, held a 16-10 shot advantage and a 6-5 edge in penalty corners.
 
Freshman Vanessa Pennella made six saves in her Ranger debut for Drew while Shannon Roberts topped four shots for Neumann.
 
The first half nearly went by without a goal, but Neumann cashed in on a corner that was granted with less than two seconds on the clock to assume a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Knights struck again with just over two minutes gone by in the third quarter before the Rangers climbed back into it. On Drew's third corner of the game, senior Liriana Seferovic sent in a pass to classmate Emma Rider at the top of the arc. Rider quickly directed the ball to Brady, who fired a shot through a pair of defenders for her first collegiate goal.
 
A long outlet pass down the left sideline from sophomore Karine Johnson led to Drew's second goal. Sophomore Bella Fini tracked down the pass before sending a cross to Caporrino, who was met by the keeper but powered the ball into the cage to make it a 2-2 game.
 
The Rangers return home on Saturday, when they host Kean University at 11 a.m. in a non-conference tilt.