NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Coming off a record-breaking 2012 campaign, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team will kick off the 2013 season on Saturday afternoon when CNU welcomes No. 13 Mary Washington to town for a 1 p.m. showdown at Captains Turf Field.

Looking to continue its unprecedented run of success over the last seven seasons, CNU has high hopes for 2013 after welcoming back a veteran-laden roster. Boasting a sensational senior class, which includes six reigning USA South All-Conference honorees, the Captains are hoping to build upon last year's achievements. During the 2012 campaign, Christopher Newport posted a 15-4 mark and set program records for most wins, longest winning streak, and highest winning percentage.

Offensively, the Captains are headlined by Ashton Marshall, who was named the 2012 USA South Player of the Year and picked up first-team All-State and second-team All-Region accolades. During her sophomore campaign, she led CNU with 64 goals, which also marked the second-highest single-season total in program history. She also dished out a team-best 22 assists for a whopping 86 points.

Senior Lauren King earned second-team All-Region honors as well and has been a perennial force on the CNU attack. Last season, she finished second on the squad with 40 goals while chipping in with 15 assists for good measure. In addition to her offensive exploits, she also led the team with 58 draw controls.

Equally successful on the offensive end, junior Jessica Singer returns after scoring 37 goals last season. Rachel Tomlinson and Becca Geist also tallied 26 scores apiece last year, while Kelly Lane had 19 to go along with 14 assists and 32 ground balls.

The Captains will be led defensively by Hannah Wilkerson, who started all 19 games in goal last year. She held opponents to a 9.34 goals-against-average and collected 122 saves while garnering second-team All-Conference nods. She will be aided on the defensive end by Monica Evans, who already owns the program record for most career caused turnovers after forcing 63 in her first three seasons. Stephanie Green has also been a force on the defensive end, earning second-team All-USA South accolades last season.

Also coming off an excellent 2012 campaign, Mary Washington begins the year ranked 13th in the nation. The Eagles went 14-5 last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. For their efforts, the team finished the season ranked 10th in the country.

Leading Mary Washington will be senior Katie Mastropaolo, who garnered first-team All-State accolades last year. During the 2012 season, she led the team with 46 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers. An All-Conference and All-Region performer as well, she also chipped in with 17 draw controls during her junior campaign.

Keller Torrey is also back after posting 30 goals and 38 assists last year, while Kathryn Stitz returns for another year between the pipes. While starting 18 games for the Eagles, the senior goalie posted 99 saves and pieced together a 9.26 goals-against-average.

Entering tomorrow's match-up, CNU and Mary Washington have met nine times with the Eagles holding a pristine 9-0 mark in the series. Last year, UMW edged CNU, 10-9, in the season opener despite three goals from Singer.

Remaining at home for one more non-conference bout next weekend, Christopher Newport will host Washington & Lee at Captains Turf Field on February 23 at 1 p.m. before heading out on a two-week, four-state road swing.

---CNU---