Box Score West Chester, Pa. – (2/24/2016) – Before heading south for games at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Shorter University, the Chestnut Hill College women's lacrosse team opened to their 2016 season today, Wednesday, February 24, with an afternoon contest at West Chester University. The Golden Rams scored the game's first three goals and led 15-4 at halftime, before earning the victory on an 18-9 final. Senior captain Emorie Keimig (Freeland, Md.) led the Griffins with three goals, recording her fifth collegiate hat trick.
 
West Chester University (1-0) wasted no time capturing the edge on Chestnut Hill College (0-1) as they scored consecutive goals at 26:42, 25:58, and 25:40 to own a 3-0 advantage after the contest's opening five minutes. Keimig tried to stop the bleeding with an unassisted tally at 25:22, 3-1, but her effort was followed by five straight Golden Ram goals, leaving the Griffins mired behind an 8-1 deficit with still 20 minutes (19:59) remaining in the first half. Soon after the 19-minute mark (18:27), the Scarlet and Gold made their run. Unfortunately, the three-goal streak, 8-4, courtesy of sophomore midfielder Erica McLaughlin (Magnolia, N.J.), freshman midfielder Julia Reinert (Bridgeport, Pa.), and sophomore attack Julia Galantich (Clinton Corners, N.Y.), only helped the Griffins stay within nine goals at intermission, 15-4. Keimig scored twice more in the second half, 19-6 at 12:20, but coming amidst an 11-4 West Chester University run, the tallies did little to derail the Golden Rams in a 19-8 final.
 
Senior attack Hannah Cowan (Wilmington, Del.) and junior attack Ashley Pyle (Springfield, Pa.) each scored four goals to lead West Chester University's offensive outburst. Cowan also recorded two draws, a ground ball, and a caused turnover while Pyle added a draw to her production. Six other Golden Rams got involved in the scoring while the defense was anchored by senior midfielder Caroline Kuchinsky (West Chester, Pa.), sophomore defender Sarah Gebre (Furlong, Pa.), and sophomore goalkeeper Paige Mitros (Glen Mills, Pa.). Kuchinsky totaled two draws and four caused turnover while Gebre offered two ground balls and four draws. Mitros made three saves in the win (1-0).

Keimig added a draw, a ground ball, and a caused turnover to her scoring. Galantich added a pair of assists to her goal. It was the first collegiate tally for Reinert, who also recorded a draw. Galantich also totaled three draws while McLaughlin hustled to a ground ball and forced a turnover. Additional Chestnut Hill College goals came from junior midfielder Rachel Perry (Gilbertsville, Pa.) (19-7 at 5:50 (2^nd)) and junior midfielder Jacklyn O'Leary (East Meadow, N.Y) (19-8 at 4:44 (2^nd)) while sophomore midfielder Hunter Leckonby (Charleston, S.C.) committed herself to the defensive effort with four ground balls and four caused turnovers. In goal, junior Katie Joe Lang (Manassas, Va.) made nine saves in the loss (0-1).
 
The Chestnut Hill College women's lacrosse team competes next on Tuesday, March 1, when they visit FIT for a 7:00 p.m. contest.