We're taking a look back at all-time great Chestnut Hill College Athletics games as part of our Griffin Classics series. Check out previous stories:
The scene was set at the 2018 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) women's lacrosse semifinals in Lakewood, New Jersey.
Third-seeded Chestnut Hill College, emerging off a 7-2 conference stretch and a come-from-behind win over Dominican College in the tournament's opening round, earned itself a rematch with Jefferson. The Rams ran away with an 18-11 victory in a March CACC matchup, but their second meeting with the Griffins figured to be a much different game.
In their first year under head coach Kate Scattergood, the Griffins picked up steam after that loss. They went on a 10-3 run following a 2-3 start to the year. Now, they also had the blueprint to avenge one of those early-season defeats.
"We used that game to know exactly what we had to do to beat them," Scattergood said. "In the long run, that loss helped us. Our leadership used that loss to propel the team forward."
The task: Stop a team leading the CACC with more than 18 goals per game in conference play. The Griffins would have to do it without their starting goalkeeper, junior Valeria Amaya (Oakland, Calif.), who was out with an injury until the final.
The defense stepped up its game around the freshman, Shenna Grady (West Chester, Pa.), in net.
"The entire game, our defense knew they had to protect our freshman and not give up too many shots. When the Rams got a few early, it was on the defense to lock down and they raised their game," Scattergood said.
Despite a quick start for Jefferson, leading 3-0 in the opening minutes all from an 80-second onslaught, the Griffins settled in and traded runs with the Rams. Junior midfielder Julia Reinert (Bridgeport, Pa.) tallied three goals to send Chestnut Hill College into the break with a 7-6 lead.
The second half started much like the first, with Jefferson taking control on a 5-1 run to reopen its three-goal lead.
The Griffins had just 20 minutes to rally and keep their season alive.
Defense wins games, and in this case, fuels comebacks. The Scarlet and Gold forced several turnovers and failed clear attempts, while Grady made each of her three saves down the stretch.
"Our defensive effort fed the team," Scattergood said. "We were able to create some turnovers off their clears, which gave us fastbreaks and opportunities to attack space."
Three different Griffins -- sophomore Mary Kroppe (Wyomissing, Pa.), junior Macailagh Smith (Red Bank, N.J.), and senior Hunter Leckonby (Charleston, S.C.) – scored in a 3-0 run that tied the game with eight minutes remaining.
Senior midfielder Erica McLaughlin (Magnolia, N.J.), the seventh different scorer for Chestnut Hill College on the day, tallied the go-ahead goal, while Kroppe added an insurance goal with her game-high fourth point.
Jefferson's defensive game plan was focused on pressuring the Griffins' top scorer during the season, senior Julia Galantich (Clinton Corners, N.Y.). With their opponents' attention shifted, fellow Scarlet and Gold attackers were forced to make the most of their opportunities.
"I give all the credit to Julia for being face-guarded and stepping away and letting the rest of the girls get it done," Scattergood said. "By doing that, they gave us more space. I knew our other attackers could get that done."
The Rams, down 13-11, still had four minutes for one last rally.
The Chestnut Hill College defense, though, would not be beaten. Keeping the conference's top offense off the board in the final 20 minutes, the Griffins secured their spot in the conference tournament championship game. It was just the second time in the CACC-era they defeated the Rams.
"I remember the time coming off the clock at the end of the game and knowing it was wrapped up. The joy our entire team had," Scattergood said.
The season ended in a title-game loss to top-seeded Georgian Court University, but the tone was set for the Scattergood-led Griffins with a strong first season.
Four seniors on the 2020 team – Spencer Fitzgerald (Huntingtown, Md.), Alexandra McCown (Scarborough, Maine), Haley Norwillo (Duryea, Pa.), and Dai Pearson (Pottstown, Pa.) -- played a role in 2018 run. Much of their success moving the program forward can be traced back to the leaders from their sophomore season.
"Our seniors and captains provided tremendous leadership on and off the field. As my first year as a coach with the team, they never doubted, they just bought in and followed the way," Scattergood said. "Those seniors influenced the way our current captains and seniors led this year's team. Hopefully, they'll be an influence for years to come."
