Philadelphia, Pa. - (8/31/2021) – "We want to shock a few teams this year," smiled Head Coach Jonathan Geist. "Our mix of old and new will give us a different look and more options on game day. I'm really looking forward to coaching this group and watching them become a team on, and off, the field." Chestnut Hill College looks to climb the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) standings in their second season under Coach Geist; the Griffins finished their Spring 2021 season with a 1-7 record and a CACC Championship Tournament appearance versus #3 Nyack College.
 
Chestnut Hill College will work toward their CACC postseason return under the leadership of senior forward/midfielder Maddie Jimenez (Bensalem, Pa.), senior goalkeeper Bri Hewlett (North Wales, Pa.), and junior forward/midfielder Riley Regan (Philadelphia, Pa.). A two-time Team Most Valuable Player (MVP), Jimenez netted four goals on a league-high 39 shots last year. Coach Geist and his staff see her as weapon, both at forward and in the midfield, and they are expecting her to continue her role as the Griffins' point producer. Her success will be aided by Regan's presence; a versatile player who can organize the offense, as well as, possess and progress the ball. Hewlett was a welcomed surprise for the Griffins last spring; a regular in the Chestnut Hill College women's basketball rotation, she will transition from a defender role to the Scarlet and Gold's goalkeeping unit. There, she has already proven herself to be a good shot stopper with great instincts on cutting down the angles.
 
Additional returnees include seniors; midfielder/forward Zhanee Dimanche-Silva (Brockton, Mass.), defender Alyssa Fournier (Sanford, Fla.), defender Madison Taylor (Bensalem, Pa.), and midfielder Tayanis Torres (Villas, N.J.), junior forward/midfielder Angel Hines (North Chesterfield, Va.), and sophomores; defender/midfielder Molly Killion (Philadelphia, Pa.), midfielder Kayla Dougherty (Williamstown, N.J.), and defender Caitlin Geiger (Philadelphia, Pa.). Taylor transitions to the defensive unit after several strong season in the Griffin midfield; her decision making will be vital to the unit and the Chestnut Hill College game plan. Torres is another key contributor as her consistency and quality of play often lead to Scarlet and Gold success.

The "new" Coach Geist refers to is the influx of four transfers; senior forward Olivia Medeiros (Bristol, Pa./Concord University), sophomore defender Ciara Rogovich (Cherry Hill, N.J./Camden County College), and junior defender Trinity Simmons (Manassas, Va./Concord University), and junior forward/midfielder Alexa Murphy (Philadelphia, Pa./Community College of Philadelphia), and seven freshmen; midfielder Marcela Bañuelos (Allentown, Pa.), midfielder Elizabeth Deal (Philadelphia, Pa.), forward Abigail Galazka (Philadelphia, Pa.), midfielder Becca Morris (Douglassville, Pa.), goalkeeper Arielle O'Neal (Sicklerville, N.J.), defender Meadow Sedowsky (Philadelphia, Pa.), and forward Lizzie Stokes (Philadelphia, Pa.), that are sure to make an impact this year. "It will take some time for them to get acclimated to the speed of play and the demands of being a collegiate student-athlete, but I believe they are up to the challenge," said Coach Geist. Concord University transfers, Simmons and Medeiros will provide additional experience and leadership on the field, while the freshmen class is highlighted by Stokes; a John W. Hallahan graduate who will help solidify the Griffins' back half.   
 
"We expect to be more competitive this year. Our coaching staff is comforted by our depth and some new strengths we've discovered," remarked an encouraged Coach Geist. "We want to take the season game-by-game and not overlook any opponent. If we can do that, I am confident that we will end the season with a winning record."
 
The Chestnut Hill College women's soccer team begins their 2021 season on Thursday September 2, when they welcome Shepherd University to Victory Field #1 for a 7:00 p.m. home opener.