UNION, N.J. -- The University of Scranton field hockey team battled Drew for more than 70 minutes in a Landmark Conference semifinal match on Wednesday evening. But in the end, the Rangers prevailed with a goal early in the overtime period for a 2-1 victory at Kean University.

The Royals, who entered the conference playoffs as the No. 3 seed, finished their season at 12-6. Drew, which is the No. 2 seed, improves to 12-8 and will face Catholic in the Landmark Conference championship on Saturday, November 5, in Washington, D.C.

Scranton took the lead when sophomore midfielder Laura Megargel (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) scored at the 28:18 mark of the first half on a feed from senior midfielder Kaela Mahon (Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J./Saint Rose). The goal was Megargel's fifth of the season while Mahon earned her third assist.

The Rangers knotted the score at the 33:44 mark when senior midfielder Mary Esposito (Woolrich, N.J./Kingsway Regional) poked in a rebound just before halftime.

The teams battled through a scoreless second half that saw just one shot on goal. But Drew gained an advantage early in the overtime period with a penalty corner, and Esposito made it count when she scored off a pass from freshman forward Melissa Boyd (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) for the game-winner at the 73:42 mark.

Scranton, which qualified for the postseason with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Juniata on Monday, October 31, held an 11-7 advantage in penalty corners and a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. Senior goalie Alexandria Marandino (Granby, Conn./Northwest Catholic) made three saves in the defeat.

The Royals saw their season end with 12 wins, the most since they went 16-5 in 1998. It was also their second Landmark Conference playoff berth in five years; they also lost in the semifinals in 2008.

--ROYALS--