Drexel University
Rutgers
Dragons Drop Home Opener to Rutgers, 3-2
9/5/2008 5:40:08 PM | Field Hockey
Philadelphia - The Drexel field hockey team lost its first game of the season as Rutgers used a pair of goals, including the game-winner, from Amy Lewis to defeat the Dragons, 3-2. The loss dropped Drexel record to 2-1 this season while Rutgers improved to 3-0. Susan Ciufo and Amanda Kicera each scored a goal for the Dragons.
Rutgers got on the board first as the Scarlet Knights made the most out of their first penalty corner opportunity as Lewis drag-flicked a shot high to the left corner of the cage past a diving Colleen McAndrew. With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, Carolina Gibernau dribbled the ball into the arc and sent a pass to Ciufo. Rutgers goalie Lyndsey Caliendo attempted to intercept the pass but Ciufo just touched the ball by Caliendo. Ciufo one-timed the ball into the empty cage to tie the game.
Just over three minutes after halftime, Rutgers' Katie Feeley fired a ball from outside the area after a Drexel foul. Substitute Jessika Hoh deflected the ball just in front of McAndrew and the ball found its way to the back of the cage. Two minutes later, Drexel co-captain Amanda Kicera notched her second goal of the season as she picked up a loose ball at the top of the arc and rocketed a shot into the left side of the cage past a frozen Lauren Decerbo, Rutgers' substitute goalie. With 23 minutes remaining in the game, Lewis converted a penalty stroke in what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Lewis, an All-America candidate, has scored seven goals in her last three meetings with Drexel and has eight goals in three games this season.
Drexel's best attempt to tie the game came with less than 90 seconds remaining as Ciufo corralled a ball at the right side of the arc and uncorked a shot toward the cage that was just deflected wide by Decerbo.
Rutgers outshot the Dragons, 8-5, for the game and earned seven penalty corners to the Dragons' two. Drexel, who had scored four goals this season on penalty corners, did not earn a penalty corner in the second half.
Drexel returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 7 as Saint Francis visits Buckley Field at noon.
