Lafayette Hill, Pa. - (3/23/2021) – Fighting for every inch in their final home contest of the season, Chestnut Hill College battled Nyack College in yet another tight Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) affair. The Warriors established a two-goal advantage in the latter half of the opening period, 2-0 (38:32), but they were unable to rest on their laurels as an early second-half penalty kick from sophomore forward Riley Regan (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2-1 (46:42), brought the Scarlet and Gold within tally. An unfortunate bounce gave Nyack College the a breakaway and the insurance they needed (3-1, 63:36) to outlast the Griffins in a 3-2 final.
Nyack College (2-1-1, 2-1-1) was able to separate from Chestnut Hill College (0-4, 0-4) just after the 36-minute mark. The first Warrior goal came on a lob into the offensive zone, that was driven home by junior forward Shanice Rapp (Untergrombach, Germany) at 36:48, 1-0. The Warriors added their second score less than two minutes later, when a perfectly played set piece was pushed to the flat by junior midfielder Maria Vargas (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain), served across the goal mouth by Rapp, and scored by senior forward Zion Derwerff (Wichita, Kansas), 2-0 (38:32).
Chestnut Hill College took the pitch with purpose in the second half and it paid off as Regan drew a penalty kick just 1:42 after the kickoff. The Griffins built off the tally, keeping pressure on the Nyack College until a backfield turnover gave the Warriors a breakaway and a renewed two-goal advantage, 3-1 (63:36). But the Scarlet and Gold showed no quit as junior forward Maddie Jimenez (Bensalem, Pa.) finally broke the Warrior defense on a long serve from freshman midfielder Kayla Dougherty (Williamstown, N.J.), 3-2 (79:13). Inspired, Chestnut Hill College outshot Nyack College 6-0 over the remaining ten minutes. Unfortunately, they were not able to convert their chances as the Warriors escaped Victory Field #1 with a 3-2 CACC win.
Dewerff led Nyack College with two goals on seven shots. Rapp totaled five shots, while three others offered at least two. In goal, graduate Michelle Baum (Kassel, Germany) recorded seven saves in the win (2-0).
Jimenez (5 shots), junior defender Bri Hewlett (North Wales, Pa.) (5), and Regan (4) combined for 14 of Chestnut Hill College's 20 shots. Senior goalkeeper Amanda Ianniciello (Milton, Ontario) recorded seven saves in the loss (0-4).
Chestnut Hill College continue their CACC schedule on Thursday, March 25, when they visit Felician University for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff.
