Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Meaghan Galvin and Ashton Marshall both scored four goals for the Captains, but the 16th-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team could not overcome a dramatic comeback by Roanoke as the Maroons used a pair of late scores to secure a 16-15 double-overtime victory on a marathon Saturday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.

During the contest, Galvin posted seven points in just her second career game, while Marshall chipped in with four goals and two assists. Erin Callahan, who became the first Captain to score a hat-trick in her collegiate debut on Sunday, equaled that effort with another three-goal performance against Roanoke. Unfortunately, the visitors matched CNU's offensive exploits and escaped with the win after Courtney McCartin scored with just over a minute remaining in the second overtime period.

The setback drops Christopher Newport to 0-2 on the season, while Roanoke improves to 1-1.

After the Captains pulled out to a 14-12 lead with less than four minutes remaining in regulation, the Maroons responded with an unrelenting attack. Following a card on CNU, Morgan Conroy pulled the visitors within one on a man-up goal with 2:28 left on the clock. Although Caitlin Osbourne caused a crucial turnover on the ensuing Roanoke possession, Christopher Newport could not clear the zone and Claire Feeney took advantage with the game-tying goal just before the horn sounded.

In the bonus session, Callahan picked up the opening draw and pumped a pair of shots on-goal, but Roanoke's Lauren Curtin made two saves. Later, the Maroon keeper stoned a blast by Marshall to keep the hosts off the board. Although the ball eventually squirted back-and-forth for a brief time, the Captains took control and Callahan delivered a crushing blow following a feed by Galvin to give CNU a 15-14 lead heading into the final three minutes of the first overtime.

After the squads switched sides, Roanoke controlled the next draw and responded with another tying goal. This time, Darragh Evarts found a little breathing room a snuck the ball past the CNU defense to even the game with two minutes remaining in the first overtime. Later, the Captain defense had to withstand another late surge by the visitors. During the stand, Emily Johnson scooped up a key ground ball following a failed free-position attempt by Roanoke before Hanna Slough saved a last-ditch shot to force double-overtime.

In the second bonus session, the Captains were the aggressor early. Galvin was tremendous from the outset, securing the opening draw, picking up a ground ball, and causing a turnover. Later, Callahan pumped the first shot of the period, but Curtin made an outstanding save on the free-position attempt. Later, after the teams switched sides, Roanoke got a break as CNU was given a yellow card, which put the Maroons up a player for the final two minutes of action.

With an advantage, Roanoke struck quickly. After storming into the Christopher Newport zone, the visitors fired an initial shot that went just high. Unfortunately, the Maroons remained in control and landed the final blow as McCartin scored off a feed from Evarts to seal the victory.

During the contest, Christopher Newport held a slim 37-35 edge in shots and a 27-17 advantage in ground balls. Roanoke controlled 21 of the game's 35 draws, while Curtin came through with 15 saves. Not to be overlooked, Slough had 12 for the Captains, which marked her second straight double-digit save effort of the season.

Although the game was tight at the end, the Maroons appeared to have complete control in the early going. During the first five minutes of action, the visitors struck four times to grab a quick 4-0 lead. However, after CNU called for a timeout, the hosts regrouped and responded with a breathtaking run to close out the first half.

Marshall got things going on the offensive end with a rope at 20:37. Shortly thereafter, Callahan added her own bullet before assisting on Galvin's first strike to pull the squad back within one at 4-3. Although Roanoke eventually snapped the streak with a goal by Allison Bonanno, the Captains immediately went back to work.

In less than three minutes of action, Christopher Newport strung together three goals to grab its first lead of the game at 6-5. Marshall bookended the surge with a pair of rockets, while Johnson showed off her offensive chops with her first goal of the year after beating a defender and finding just enough space in a cluttered zone at the 10-minute mark.

Once again, Roanoke responded with a quick goal, but Galvin and Marshall teamed up on the final score of the half to close out the period in style. Five minutes before intermission, Marshall drew some of the defensive pressure away from Galvin before the freshman took control of the ball and unloaded a one-timer to give CNU a 7-6 advantage heading into the break.

The second half was another back-and-forth affair as the two squads traded blows. Roanoke evened the score less than two minutes into the stanza before Kylie Chaplin and Jessica Singer capitalized on back-to-back darts to retake a two-goal edge. Following two straight scores by Roanoke, Christopher Newport pieced together another huge run to take a sturdy three-goal lead.

Once again, Galvin was at the forefront of the action as the freshman blasted the back of the net off an assist by Kirsten Mendelsohn. Later, Callahan and Johnson struck on two straight shots to give the squad a three-goal cushion. Unfortunately, despite late goals by Galvin and Marshall, the Maroons scored five of the final seven goals in regulation before capitalizing on some overtime heroics to pull out the victory.

Christopher Newport will return to action next Saturday when the squad welcomes in Randolph-Macon for a 1 p.m. battle at Captains Turf Field.

---CNU---