Philadelphia, Pa. - (8/19/2021) – "We are a brand-new team who is eager to succeed," issued Head Coach Ahmed Elgayar. "Right now, we expect to work hard and grow every day, as a unit, and as a team." Coach Elgayar will rely heavily on his six returning student-athletes and three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I transfers to set the tone for an incoming class of 14 freshmen, who will inherit a program focused becoming a perennial Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contender.
  
Chestnut Hill College last competed in 2019, finishing 10^th in the CACC with a 4-6-2 league mark (5-9-3 overall). That same season, Coach Elgayar helped Holy Family University Head Coach Georg Montag lead the cross-city rivals to their second straight CACC Championship Tournament appearance; a #3 standing on the strength of an 8-4 league mark (11-8-1 overall). Now in his first head coaching role, Elgayar intends to make his mark on the Hill with help from assistant coaches; Kevin McCollick, Ralph Ulmer and Jeremy Ortiz who, as a whole, bring more than three decades of coaching experience and professional playing experience to the table.
 
"The leadership from our returning players has really exceeded my expectations," admitted Coach Elgayar. "They have done a brilliant job welcoming the newcomers to our team and our style of play." The Scarlet and Gold's returning student-athletes include graduate forwards Miguel Marra (Ossining, NY.) and Lucas de Sá (Bahia, Brazil), senior midfielder Mustaf Nuredini (Norristown, PA.), a pair of juniors in midfielder Diego Cabrera (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) and goalkeeper Bryce Fadako (Philadelphia, PA.), and sophomore midfielder Adam Manfaa (Hatboro, PA.). Marra carries the most experience as a Griffin. He enters his fourth season of competition with four of his eight career tallies coming as game-winners. De Sá saw limited time in 2019 (4 games played - 2 games started) due to a mid-season injury, but both Nuredini (16gp-10gs) and Cabrera (15gp-14gs) earned significant field time and produced for Chestnut Hill College with four points (1 goal, 2 assists) and one point (1 assist), respectively.

Headlining a long list of newcomers to the Scarlet and Gold are four transfers: graduate goalkeeper Steven Cedeño (Union, NJ. /St. Peter's University), junior midfielder/forward Christian Torres (Parsippany, NJ/Rider University), junior defenseman Liam Boyles (Abington, Pa./Harcum College), sophomore defenseman Nick Yurcho (Roebling, N.J./La Salle University), and sophomore midfielder/defenseman Evan Walters (Point Pleasant, N.J./Ocean County Community College). A proven shot-stopper, Cedeno offers the Griffins four years of collegiate goalkeeping experience, leadership, and a knowledgeable perspective to a young roster. Torres is a fluid player who can help the Griffins midfield game with his great technical background, while Boyles serves as a solid one-on-one defender who can provide strength and consistency to the Griffin defense. His efforts will be aided by Yurcho, who at 6-4 demonstrates great ability in the air and a boot to match. Lastly, Walters is a versatile player whose ability to play anywhere and use either foot will surely come in handy. "All our transfers are bringing proper DI experience," stated Coach Elgayar. "They, along with our freshmen, have shown tremendous character, a passion for the game, and an eagerness to learn our system and mentality."
 
14-men deep, the Chestnut Hill College freshmen class consists of; goalkeeper Mahmoud Mahmoud (Falls Church, VA.), defensemen; Sean Horvay (Philadelphia, Pa.), Jordan Jupina (Bethlehem, Pa.), Conor Seeley (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Manny Weagba Jr. (Langhorne, Pa.), midfielders; Sergio Abelardy (Philadelphia, Pa.), Ariel Barreto (East Windsor, N.J.), Matt Fuentes (Howell, N.J.), George Katsiotis (Cinnaminson, N.J.), and Marcos Velez Vargas (Cidra, PR.), and forwards; Andrey McIntyre (Hanover, Jamaica.), Aidan McShane (Philadelphia, Pa.), Lucho Narcisi (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.), and Jake Wolf (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.).
 
Mahmoud has displayed great footwork in goal, while the newcomers in front of him will each provide something special to the class of 2021. Horvay is a fantastic team player with tremendous heart and hunger; his presence is felt every day. Meanhwile, Jupina and Weagba are high-energy defenders, who possess good speed and strength. Seeley is a student of the game and engaged in learning new skills; he will be a consistent player in the season to come.
 
In the midfield, Abrelardy is a dynamic player who displays confidence with the ball, while Barreto's possession-game features creativity and an elusiveness that is sure to baffle defenders. Fuentes has a high Soccer IQ and will be an important piece for the freshmen class. Katsiotis is a very fit and talented individual, who can play anywhere in the midfield, while Velez Vargas has a good feel for tempo and the Griffin game plan.
 
Up top, McIntyre is a special talent, explosive and shifty, he will be a nightmare for the opposition. McShane is sure to make his mark as well with great strength and skill for his size, while Narcisi provides a good back-to-goal forward who has excellent zone awareness and the ability to control the ball. Wolf is an impact player as well with his willingness to put his body on the line and go the extra mile for his teammates.   
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's soccer team begins their 2021 season with a September-2 contest at Millersville University. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. The Griffins' home opener will take place two days later on Saturday, September 4, when they welcome Saint Michael's College for an 11:00 a.m. contest.