As the crisp air of fall settles in, a new wave of athletic talent is already making its mark at Drew University. From thrilling overtime victories to breakout performances from new Rangers, the opening games of the fall season have offered a glimpse into the potential of this year’s teams and a strong lineup of individual standouts.
Athletes across all sports are stepping into the spotlight, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting season ahead. With leadership from returners and strong efforts from newcomers, each game and practice is charged with new focus, determination and drive.
One of the brightest early-season stars has been Bella Fini (‘29), who is quickly becoming a name to watch in the field hockey program. Fini delivered her second hat trick in just three games, capping the performance with a dramatic game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Rangers to a 3–2 victory over Eastern University in a non-conference match. With eight goals so far, she leads both her team and the Landmark Conference in scoring, an impressive feat for any player, let alone a first-year.
Fini’s standout start speaks not only to her individual skill but also to the potential impact of this year’s freshman class across Drew’s athletic programs. This impact reaches from field hockey to women’s soccer as Olivia Klein (‘29) is also putting up impressive statistics.
In the Rangers’ recent outing, Klein netted two goals, bringing her season total to five and leading the team in scoring as they moved to a 3–2–1 record. Men’s soccer was able to defeat a cross-town rival in its season opener largely as a result of David DiNola’s (‘29) game-tying goal. Ignacio Martinez (‘27) has tallied five goals in just four games, proving once again to be a force to be reckoned with.
With strong starts across the board, Drew’s fall teams are building early momentum and setting the stage for a competitive and exciting season. Players are stepping up, chemistry is building and the energy surrounding Ranger athletics continues to grow.
If the opening weeks are any indication, the future of Drew athletics isn’t just promising—it’s already here.
Gillian Sampson is a graduate student in the Master of Education program.
