The Chestnut Hill Women's Lacrosse team began their 2022 season on the right foot, as they defeated the University of District of Columbia by a score of 19-14 on Monday afternoon at Victory Field in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
 
The win also marks the first for the program with head coach Jalen Middlebrooks in charge. Middlebrooks has been committed to changing the perception of Chestnut Hill women's lacrosse within the conference, and began that quest by claiming victory in her first ever game at the helm.
 
On the field, Danielle and Frances Vassallo (Hicksville, N.Y.) lead the way for the Griffins, as each contributed seven goals. Frances Vassallo also had six assists, while Danielle added two. The pair combined for a total of 22 points in the match. Besides the Vassallo sisters, junior Rexney Thenor (Burlington, N.J.) and freshman Torrin Kelley (Hanover, Pa.) also found the back of the net for the Griffins, as Thenor scored a hat trick, and Kelley fired two past UDC goalie Desiree Gaeckler. Junior midfielder Ashley Watson (Bristol, Conn.) was also responsible for two assists and freshman attacker Angel Hines (North Chesterfield, Va.) recorded her first collegiate point, assisting Frances Vassallo on her first goal of the game.
 
The Griffins controlled the majority of the play throughout the game, and after taking the initial lead at 13:23 in the first quarter, the game was only tied once more, at 1-1, before the Griffins were able to pull away for good.
 
The Griffins were a continuous offensive threat throughout the match but were also stout on the defensive end. The team caused a total of 20 turnovers, with Danielle Vassallo again leading the way, causing five. Thenor was also an important contributor on the defensive end, causing four turnovers. The women also had a significant edge in ground balls, 30-17, which was crucial to their success. Danielle Vassallo retrieved nine ground balls, while sophomore midfielder Molly Killion (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Thenor secured six and five respectively. Freshman Lizzie Stokes (Philadelphia, Pa.) also put in a strong defensive shift causing one turnover and winning two ground balls, all while spending the majority of her time battling Anna Schamens, the Firebirds top player on the day.
 
With captain and starting goaltender Mel Amador (Cape May, N.J.) missing the game, the Griffins relied on backup goalie Elizabeth Deal (Philadelphia, Pa.) to step in. Deal was impressive in her first appearance for the team, recording six saves, including an important one-on-one save off a shot from UDC's Schamens, to keep the score 13-11, late in the third quarter.
 
Schamens had nine goals and three assists to pace the Firebirds offense.
 
The Griffins will aim to build on their 1-0 start on Monday, March 7^th at 2 P.M, when they visit the Bloomsburg University Huskies.