Former Eastern field hockey players, along with teammates, continue to contribute to Drew University field hockey’s success.
In a crucial Landmark Conference contest, the 20th-ranked Drew University field hockey team prevailed, 5–4 over Scranton (12–4, 2–3 Landmark) recently to remain unbeaten in league play. The nationally ranked Rangers improve to 14–2 on the season and 5–0 in Landmark Conference play.
The high-scoring affair was decided on a goal by Sam Barcia (Berlin/Eastern) with 2:11 remaining in the game. The score was her second of the day and her Landmark Conference leading, 21st of the season.
Senior Brooke Gagliano (Freehold/Freehold Twp.) had a goal and two assists, including the pass on the game-winning score to help pace the Ranger offense. Classmate Danielle Waleko (Wainscott, N.Y./East Hampton) chipped in with a goal and an assist while Amber De Marco (Berlin/Eastern Regional) scored her fourth goal of the season late in the second half.
The two teams traded the first four goals over the first 15:25 with the Rangers getting goals from Gagliano and Waleko. The Royals took their first lead of the contest with 3:40 remaining in the first half, a lead that lasted to the halftime horn.
Drew knotted the game at three, nine minutes into the second half when Barcia tipped in a Bea Cannavale (Branchville/High Point Regional) pass into the back of the cage. The Rangers recaptured the lead at the 59-minute mark when De Marco blasted a shot from 10 yards out, putting the Rangers up, 4–3.
The Scranton offense responded just 55 seconds later on a goal by Elizabeth Franko off a cross by Krista Osborne. The two teams remained scoreless for the next seven minutes until Barcia struck for the game-winner in the 68th minute.
The evenly matched contest saw each team take 13 shots and each draw nine-penalty corners. The Rangers have now won the last four contests against the Royals including two overtime wins in the last two Landmark Conference semifinals.
Senior goalkeeper CC Carlini (Amherst, N.H./Bishop Guertin) made three saves for her fourteenth win of the season. Junior Alexandria De Sousa (Voorhees/Eastern) was credited with her third defensive save of the year.
