PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Shepherd University topped host Chestnut Hill, 3-1, in the season opener for both schools on Thursday night. The win gave head coach Sam Odell a successful debut as the head coach at Shepherd. 

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead when freshman defender /midfielder Brooke Bennett (Mt. Airy, Md./Linganore) found the back of the net on a feed from junior forward/midfielder Sara Hohn (Frederick, Md./Thomas Johnson) at the 20:23 mark.  

The Rams took a 2-0 lead when sophomore midfielder/forward Paris Kimbrell (Martinsburg, W.Va./Hedgesville) scored an unassisted goal at the 51:27 mark. 

Olivia Medeiros scored on an assist from Maddie Jimenez at the 62:35 mark to cut the lead to 2-1. 

Hohn scored on a pass from freshman midfielder Myra Striebig (York, Pa./Dallastown Area) at the 70:25 mark to up the Shepherd lead to 3-1.

Senior Lulu Fricks (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield) (0 GA, 0 saves, 45:00) and sophomore Faith Geraci (Keedysville, Md./Boonsboro) (1 GA, 5 saves, 45:00) combined for a strong effort in goal for the Rams.  Bri Hewlett recorded a pair of saves for the Griffins. 

Shepherd had a 12-10 advantage in shots, while Chestnut Hill recorded a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. 

The Rams return to action on Wednesday when they host Shippensburg for a1 p.m. contest.