Philadelphia, PA – (3/15/2012) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play opened today for the women's lacrosse team, as Chestnut Hill College travelled to local rival, Philadelphia University, for today's contest. The Lady Rams overwhelmed the Griffins with a 9-0 run midway through first half, 13-4, before completing the victory on a 20-6 final. The Griffins were led by senior attack Kelly McKay (Perkasie, PA) and junior attack Nicole Covella (Vineland, NJ), who totaled three points apiece.
 
Philadelphia University (2-1, 2-0) scored the first two goals of the affair to grab the early advantage on their home field, 2-0. A little later (25:03), McKay put Chestnut Hill College (0-2, 0-1) on the scoreboard off the feed from Covella, 2-1. Following two more Lady Ram goals, 4-1, the Griffins responded with a free position goal from Covella, 4-2, and successful connection between junior midfielder Brianne Timony (Allentown, NJ) and junior attack Christina Squillante (Kings Park, NY), 4-3. Unfortunately, a 9-0 Lady Ram run significantly changed the face of the fray, as an unassisted Covella goal at 1:21 left the halftime spread at 13-4. A quartet of senior midfielder Kalin Hodel (West Chester, OH), senior attack Taylor Peltzer (Holland, PA), senior midfielder Caribeth Shappell (Lancaster, PA), and sophomore Emily Ray (Bedminster, NJ) fueled the Lady Rams in the first half. They picked right back up at the start of the second frame, as another 5-0 Lady Ram run made it 18-4 with 14:36 left to play. McKay scored at 12:37 on a free position attempt, 18-5, and at 11:15 on an unassisted effort, 18-6, but the Lady Rams equated the goals by the final horn, 20-6.
 
Hodel led the Lady Rams with six goals, two assists, three ground balls, and a draw control. Pletzer recorded five goals, three ground balls, and a caused turnover. Shappell provided six assists, a ground ball, and two draw controls. Ray totaled four goals and an assist. In goal, junior Ellen Wright (Salem, VA) earned the win (2-1) with four saves, five ground balls, and a caused turnover.
 
For the Griffins, McKay totaled three goals and hustled to three draw controls while Covella totaled two goals, an assist, a ground ball, three draw controls, and a caused turnover. Squillante grabbed a ground ball in addition to her goal, while Timony added a ground ball and three draw controls to her assist. Junior goalkeeper Jenn Delahanty (Staten Island, NY) took the loss (0-2) despite making 11 saves and two ground balls.
 
The women's lacrosse team continues CACC play with a trip to Georgian Court University on Tuesday, March 20. Opening draw is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.