Box Score Lafayette Hill, Pa. - (4/14/2015) – Eyeing its first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) playoff berth in six years, the Chestnut Hill College women's lacrosse continued to utilize its home-field advantage to full effect, edging visiting Dominican College (NY) by a 9-8 count to remain perfect at Victory Field #1 (5-0) and snatch a watershed win. The thrilling triumph, played under a steady drizzle for most of a see-saw second half, guaranteed the Griffins a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2009. Sophomore midfielder Lea Sanders (North Merrick, N.Y.) netted a first-half hat-trick and counterpart Jacklyn O'Leary (East Meadow, N.Y.) registered two critical late goals to help the home side start a three-game home stand on a high note.
 
Chestnut Hill College (6-8, 3-3) was the aggressor from the opening draw, with Sanders scoring unassisted just over a minute in to open the scoring (28:56). After a Dominican College (4-9, 4-3) response, 1-1 (23:09), the Griffins used a 4-1 spurt to obtain a three-goal cushion. Junior midfielder Emorie Keimig (Freeland, Md.) struck twice during the run, supplementing single markers by Sanders and freshman midfielder Hunter Leckonby (Charleston, S.C.), the former providing a 5-2 margin at 6:33. Senior attack Allison Smithwick (Commack, N.Y.) tallied back-to-back goals for the Chargers, 5-4 (3:47), but Sanders stole the momentum back with a fast-break score just before halftime, 6-4 (0:14).
 
Junior midfielder Christina Brennan (Washington Township, N.J.) carried the torch for Dominican College in the second half, scoring consecutive free-position goals to bring about a 6-6 deadlock with 22:37 remaining. But O'Leary muscled through a double-team to corral the hosts a 7-6 edge, and Leckonby answered a Charger goal with her second marker, 8-7 (14:25). O'Leary's second tally proved the dagger, 9-7 (10:37), but not without some anxious moments. The Chargers closed to within one, 9-8, on another goal by Smithwich (7:45) and, after an extended period of possession, the Griffins coughed up the ball in the final minute. Desperate for a last-second equalizer, Dominican College came up empty when freshman defender Alexa Fusselbaugh (Ardmore, Pa.) poked the ball loose and scooped up the ground ball with 17 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Griffins ran out the clock, setting off a spirited celebration.
 
Smithwick paced Dominican College with four goals, while Brennan added a pair of her own. Junior goalkeeper Brittany Kiernan (Clarkstown, N.Y.) totaled 11 saves in defeat (4-9).

Sanders' second hat-trick in three games came with plenty of support from the rest of the Griffin pride. O'Leary, Keimig, and Leckonby all netted two goals, while freshman midfielders Erica McLaughlin (Magnolia, N.J.) and Julia Galantich (Clinton Corners, N.Y.) handed out assists. Fusselbaugh spearheaded the defense with two ground balls and two caused turnovers, and sophomore Samantha Herron (Cinnaminson, N.J.) added two draws and caused two turnovers, including one with less than three minutes to play on a Chargers clear attempt. Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Joe Lang (Manassas, Va.) made eight saves for her sixth win (6-8).
 
Chestnut Hill College enjoyed a 28-22 shot advantage and didn't permit a Charger attempt in the final 7:45. The Griffins also forced 18 turnovers and held Dominican College to just 9-of-19 (47.4%) on clear attempts.
 
Now assured of a playoff berth, the Griffins will look to improve their positioning when crosstown rival Philadelphia University invades Victory Field #1 for a critical CACC showdown on Thursday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m.