MADISON, N.J.—A late surge fell short for The University of Scranton in its Landmark Conference semifinal game against Drew University Wednesday evening at Ranger Stadium.

The Royals cut a six-goal deficit down to two before Drew hung on for a 10-8 victory to move into Saturday's championship game against top-seeded Catholic University, which downed Goucher College, 19-9, in the other semifinal match-up.

The Rangers, now 11-7, received three goals and an assist from senior midfielder Cara Jeffries (Central Square, N.Y./Paul V. Moore), two goals and an assist from senior midfielder Becca Schild (Princeton, N.J./Princeton), two goals from senior midfielder Sloane Coles (The Plains, Va./Foxcroft School), and a goal and an assist from junior attacker Aileen Musynske  (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park Memorial).

Playing in their final game in a Royal uniform, senior defender Katie Slade (Buckingham, Pa./Central Bucks East) led the way with a game-high four goals and senior attacker Caroline Pryor (Robbinsville, N.J./Notre Dame) had two goals and an assist.  Scranton, which puts the wraps on a 10-6 season, also received a goal and an assist from sophomore midfielder Jilliana DePaolera (Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon) and a goal from first-year attacker Kerry Sullivan (Oceanport, N.Y./Shore Regional).

Each goalkeeper, Scranton's Kathleen Smart (Hatboro, Pa./Archbishop Wood) and Drew's Rachel Hanley (Randolph, N.J./Randolph), were credited with seven saves.

The Royals were in prime position to avenge a 15-6 loss to Drew during the regular season on April 21 at Fitzpatrick Field, trailing by only one at intermission, 3-2.

After Slade tied it up with a goal off an assist from DePaolera less than three minutes into the second half, the Ranger scored six straight goals—two from Jeffries and one each from junior defender Jasmine Cordi-Miller (Whippany, N.J./Whippany Park), Schild, Musynske, and Coles—over the next eight minutes to build up what turned out to be an insurmountable 9-3 lead. 

Scranton ended the game on a 5-1 run to set the final score.

Slade and Pryor certainly left their mark on the Royal program.  Slade finishes her career as the Royals' all-time leader in caused turnovers (123) and is fourth in draw controls (130) and ground balls (195), 11th in goals (84), and tied for 14th in total points (100).  Pryor is also ranked among Scranton's all-time leaders, finishing her career fifth in goals (114), sixth in total points (157), and seventh in assists (43). 

The Royals will also bid good-bye to senior defender Liz Chase (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood), who played in 47 games and finished her career with 59 ground balls and 35 caused turnovers, and senior midfielder Kristin Pickell (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon), who finished with 46 goals and nine assists for 55 total points in 62 career games.

--ROYALS--