RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Felician University women's lacrosse team claimed the first conference victory in program history when it defeated Chestnut Hill College, 9-5, on Friday afternoon in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest at Tryon Field.

Sophomore attack Raquel Vilas (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) scored four goals and freshman attack Paige Merz (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) collected three goals for Felician (2-6, 1-1 CACC). The Golden Falcons tied the school record for least goals allowed in game, with sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Bain's (Hamilton, Ontario/Bishop Ryan) 12 saves backing the defensive effort.

Felician (2-6, 1-1 CACC), a seventh-year program, had been 0-42 in CACC play since its inaugural season of 2016 heading into Friday.

"I spent some time this morning addressing the history of the program and what it's been through, but mostly I pushed positivity," said Felician fifth-year senior co-captain Emileigh Esposito (Beachwood, N.J./Toms River South), who had been on the field for the last 24 of the 42 conference losses. "After five years it's wild for me to experience this shift in momentum."

With a goal and two assists, Felician redshirt sophomore midfielder Janea Kelty (West Milford, N.J./St. Mary-Rutherford) ran her career point total to a program-record 25 (15 goals, 10 assists). The previous mark of 24 points was shared by Liana Chirichiello (2016-17) and Christianna Louzan (2018-19).

Felician jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Merz scored just under four minutes into the action, and Vilas recorded the final three goals of an opening period which saw the hosts outshoot Chestnut Hill, 12-1. Vilas found the cage again with 13:21 left until halftime, and the Golden Falcons carried a 6-2 edge into the break.

The Griffins (1-6, 0-2) pulled to within 8-5 with 9:54 remaining in regulation time when junior Madyson Schwartz (Philadelphia, Pa./Franklin Towne Charter) tallied twice in 30 seconds. But Bain saved a free-position shot as the game clock wound under eight minutes, and the Felician defense held firm until Kelty's free-position goal at the 1:58 mark secured the victory.

Felician amassed an 18-9 advantage in ground balls, led by four from Melissa Amezquita (Paterson, N.J./PCTI). Golden Falcon sophomore Tala Marzooq (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) led all players with five draw controls.

Schwartz finished with four goals for the Griffins. Junior goalie Mel Amador (Cape May, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional) stopped 17 shots in defeat.

Felician is next in action at Caldwell University in a CACC tilt on Wednesday, March 30, at 4 p.m.

"This can be a turning point not only for our program, but for this team," said Esposito, who had a goal and an assist. "But right now our next focus is on Caldwell."