NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Securing five straight victories, including a pair against 2012 NCAA Tournament participants, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team remained at No. 19 in the lastest IWLCA National Poll and will put that mark on the line on Wednesday when CNU hosts Virginia Wesleyan in a 7 p.m. clash at Captains Turf Field.

The Captains remained in the rankings for the third consecutive week, securing 47 votes in the latest poll. CNU is just 19 votes shy of Tufts, who sits 18th nationally. The top-five remained unchanged as Trinity continues to hold down the No. 1 spot with Salisbury, Cortland, Gettysburg, and Middlebury rounding out the top squads.

Anxious to return home following a four-game road swing, the Captains sit at 5-1 on the year after reeling off five straight wins. Virginia Wesleyan enters Wednesday's match-up with a 1-3 mark.

Normally an evenly-matched series, Virginia Wesleyan holds a slim 7-5 edge all-time against CNU. The Captains have won the previous four meetings, however, including an 11-8 overtime victory at Virginia Beach last season.

During the game, live stats will be streamed through CNUsports.com to help fans keep track of all the action.

Impressive on the defensive end, Christopher Newport has held its opposition to fewer than nine goals per game and a .377 shooting percentage. Rachel Tomlinson, the reigning USA South Defensive Player of the Week, has seven ground balls and four caused turnovers this season, while Emily Johnson leads the team in both categories, forcing 10 turnovers and collecting 20 ground balls. Kelly Lane has also caused seven turnovers for the suffocating CNU defense.

Netting 26 goals this season, Ashton Marshall has been at the forefront of the CNU offense. The junior also has four assists and ranks among the top-five nationally in scoring. Elena Obregon and Jessica Singer have also scored 11 times each, while Lauren King leads the way with nine assists. She also has a team-high 18 draw controls and has chipped in with seven assists as well.

Goalie Hanna Slough has also been strong throughout the year for Christopher Newport, notching 41 saves and an 8.35 goals-against-average in 280 minutes of action.

Pacing the Virginia Wesleyan attack, Taylor Harding has a team-high 11 points after tallying eight goals and three assists. Nikki Salyers has also scored eight times and added two helpers, while Kelly Jacobson and Summer Moore both have four points. Jacobson also leads the team with 10 caused turnovers and 13 ground balls, while Chloe Weinmann boasts eight draw controls.

Anchoring the defense, Madison Carroll has started all four games in the net for the Marlins. During her 150 minutes of action, she has 31 saves and a 12.80 goals-against-average. Catie Amasia has also seen time between the pipes, making nine saves during her 66 minutes of playing time.

The Captains will hit the road again following Wednesday's game as Christopher Newport heads to Ferrum and Greensboro for a pair of USA South contests this weekend. CNU will face the Panthers at 2 p.m. on Saturday before battling the Pride at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

---CNU---