Philadelphia, Pa. - (8/29/2017) – Head Women's Soccer Coach Sandy Dickson awaits the 2017 season – her seventh with the Scarlet and Gold – with her deepest and most experienced roster since former assistant coach and all-time great, Lauren Riiff '12 lead the Griffins to a third straight Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) postseason appearance. "Our goal is to return to the CACC Championship Tournament," simply stated Dickson. "We graduated one senior, so we are experienced. If we stick to our game plan, step-up our offense, and score some more goals, we can definitely be a contender in this league."

 
A 3-0 victory over Holy Family University on October 4 began a five-game unbeaten streak that helped Chestnut Hill College (4-11-2, 2-9-1) finish the 2016 season with a 4-11-2 overall record and a 2-9-1 league standing. The Griffins return two of their top three scorers from that 2016 roster in senior midfielder Kiersten Cobb-Wilkins (Lowman, N.Y.) (3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points) and junior forward Brianna Ferrell (Newtown Square, Pa.) (4 goals, 1 assist, 9 points), as well as, senior goalkeeper Meghan Guagenti (Pennsauken, N.J.), who ranked fifth in the CACC for save percentage (.803), sixth in saves (94), tied for seventh in shutouts (3), and ninth in goals-against-average (2.03 GAA) in her first season as a starter. Cobb-Wilkins, a defender by trade and sniper from long range, will continue to anchor the backline and take the Scarlet and Gold direct kicks. Dynamic in the midfield, Ferrell has totaled a team-high 14 points (5 goals and 4 assists) in her two seasons at Chestnut Hill College. Guagenti will battle sophomore Leah Peshkin (Haddon Heights, N.J.) for time in net; the duo combined for 132 saves, a .776 save percentage, and a 2.17 GAA.
 
Chestnut Hill College's game plan will focus on winning the midfield battle. Along with Ferrell, sophomore midfielder Sabrina Shinkowitz (Stratford, N.J.) – who made 14 starts (17gp-14gs) and totaled 3 points (1 goal and 1 assist) in her freshman season – will serve as the team's primary playmakers. Senior Morgan Ruth (Blackwood, N.J.), juniors Molly Sullivan (Pasco, Wash.), Marikate O'Toole (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Jacquelyn Rhodes (Philadelphia, Pa.), sophomore Geena DiRugeris (Woodbury, N.J.), and freshmen Gabby Fanfarillo (Glassboro, N.J.) and Marisa Murphy (Philadelphia, Pa.) will see significant time as well. Ruth has totaled 13 points (6 goals and 1 assist) in her collegiate career thus far, while Sullivan – who offers size and a target in the offense third - enjoyed a breakout sophomore season with three goals and two assists (8 points). Fanfarillo has drawn attention in preseason, vying for a starting role with her quickness and nose for the ball.
 
Helping the midfielders find the goal are a pair of speedy forwards in senior Julianna Casasanto (Philadelphia, Pa.) and sophomore Hannah Waugh (Jamison, Pa.). Casasanto appeared in 15 contests and made two starts last season. Meanwhile, a defensive unit that includes Cobb-Wilkins, fellow senior – and former forward - Kylee Jazikoff (Brick, N.J.), juniors Ariel Magee (North Cape May, N.J.) and Macailagh Smith (Red Bank, N.J.), and sophomores Madison Slemmer (Hatboro, Pa.) and Elizabeth McCormick (Philadelphia, Pa.) will assist the midfield in keeping the Griffins' rivals at bay.
 
Chestnut Hill College garnered 46 points and finished 10^th in the recently released 2017 CACC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. With only eighth spots available in the 2017 CACC Women's Soccer Championship Tournament, the Griffins will look to make an impression early. The 2017 begins this Thursday, August 31, at the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Football Stadium with a 7:00 p.m. home opener against Bloomsburg University.