NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Christopher Newport University women's lacrosse team opens their season on MONDAY as they host #14 Washington and Lee University. Game time is set for 3:00pm. The Captains played the Generals in their last game of the 2011 season, the first round of the NCAA tournament, where the Generals won 15-6.

The Captains enter the 2012 season facing a unique challenge. 2011 seniors, Kaitlin Quigley, Meghan Harkey, and Morgan Layton all finished their careers by etching their names in the school's record book en route to a sixth consecutive USA South Championship a year ago. Replacing three players of their caliber is difficult enough in a given season. In 2012, Head Coach Carolyn Raveia is faced with an even more daunting task: replace the three all-conference performers without a single senior on the roster.

Raveia believes that while her team is void of senior leadership, another championship season is a distinct possibility. “We have a great core of returning players and starters who are more focused than ever” believes Raveia, entering her fifth season leading the CNU program.

Leading the attack this year will be junior Lauren King along with sophomores Jessica Singer and Ashton Marshall. The three combined for 116 goals last season. Rachel Tomlinson, who scored 35 goals in 2011, will be another offensive threat.

Junior Becca Geist will lead the mid¬field along with classmate Kelly Lane. Juniors Monica Evans and Stephanie Green will be looked upon to lead the defense while sophomore Hannah Wilkerson returns after playing every minute in the net for the Captains in 2011.

For the Generals, seniors Christina Benedetti, Lauren Acker, Maddie McKaig and Alli Shearin will looked to for leadership. Midfielder Benedetti was an IWLCA second team All-Region selection last year. McKaig is the team's leading returning scorer with 29 goals and 15 assists in 2011. Shearin scored 23 goals and added eight assists last season.

Both the Captains and Generals were ranked first in their conference preseason coaches polls and both went undefeated in conference play in 2011.

Livestats for the game will be available at www.sidearmstats.com/cnu/wlax.