MADISON, NJ – Trailing 1-0 after one half of play, the No. 5 seed Wilkes field hockey team pushed across a pair of goals over the final 30 minutes on way to a 2-1 victory over No. 4 seed Drew University in the First Round of the Landmark Conference Tournament Saturday afternoon at Ranger Stadium.
 
With the win Wilkes improved to 10-10 overall while Drew saw its season end at 13-6. The Colonels also recorded their first win in the Landmark Conference Tournament in program history in their second appearance in the last three seasons.
 
Drew got on the board first with a goal at the 24:05 mark of the second quarter.
 
Olivia Gayoski (Forty Fort, PA/Wyoming Valley West) notched her third goal of the season off an assist from Shaelyn Donnelly (Glassboro, NJ/GCIT) tying the game at one at 32:41 of the third quarter.
 
The score remained tied until the Colonels earned a penalty corner with under three minutes remaining. The pass from Elizabeth Hodder (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) came out to Lydia Keppel (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) where the first-year blasted a shot past the Rangers goalie to the low-left side of the cage for the eventual game-winner.
 
Wilkes controlled most of the game in its offensive end outshooting Drew 18-7 including 7-4 in shots on goal. The Colonels also garnered 1 penalty corners to Drew's six attempts, none bigger than the one that offered the game-winning goal.
 
Chloe Gilroy (Manchester, NH/Pace University) earned the win in the cage for Wilkes making three important saves.
 
Wilkes will now face No. 1 seed the University of Scranton on Tuesday in the semifinals of the Landmark Conference Tournament. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. Wilkes will look to avenge a 2-0 loss at home to the Royals on October 22 and continue its postseason run.