Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite a four-point performance by Kylie Chaplin and a pair of goals from Lindsay Weaver and Kedron Walsh, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team could not complete its upset bid against No. 12 Washington & Lee as the Generals captured a 12-7 victory on a blustery Saturday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.

Facing a tough test in the season opener, the youthful Captains hung with their veteran-laden opposition for much of the game before the Generals pulled away late. Chaplin helped pace the attack with four points, including three assists, while Walsh and Weaver both scored twice. On the defensive side, Mariah Ginebra was a force for CNU, causing four turnovers while collecting four ground balls.

In the early going of Saturday's action, the two teams looked evenly matched and traded blows. Washington & Lee opened the scoring with a pair of tallies in the first 10 minutes of action, but Christopher Newport quickly shot back. Just over 30 seconds after the Generals extended their advantage to two, Meaghan Galvin connected with Chaplin, who blistered the back of the net to cut the lead in half.

Looking to even the score, Ginebra forced a turnover after the Generals won the ensuing draw. Back in control, Chaplin showed off her vision with a perfect pass through a cluttered zone to Carly Wilson. After taking possession on the far side of the field, the freshman pumped a bullet on her first collegiate shot to even the game at two.

Continuing the seesaw affair, Washington & Lee responded with back-to-back goals to earn a 4-2 edge before Christopher Newport whistled for a timeout. Needing to regroup, the stoppage worked perfectly as the hosts came storming out of the break. In the 18th minute of action, Weaver converted a free-position attempt for the squad's third goal before Walsh bullied through a pair of defenders and sniped her first goal into the top corner of the net.

Back on even ground, the Captains looked ready to break out as the squad pumped three straight shots. Unfortunately, each attempt was stoned by W&L's Cara Mulligan. Following the defensive stand, the Generals pieced together a huge push to pull ahead late in the first half. Although Galvin slammed home a free-position attempt in the waning moments of the period, the visitors scored four of the last five goals of the half to snatch an 8-5 advantage entering the break.

Looking to carry their momentum over into the second half, the Generals opened things up on the offensive end. Although Hanna Slough tried to clamp down and made three crucial saves, the W&L attack never faltered. Eventually, the visitors registered three straight goals to grab an 11-5 lead with less than 12 minutes remaining in regulation.

Staring at a six-goal deficit, the Captains continued to poke at the W&L defense. Walsh added her second goal off a feed from Chaplin before Weaver pieced together a solid run. The sophomore helped force a turnover during an impressive defensive stand. Minutes later, she spun an absolute rocket towards the net, which drilled the goalie and deflected perfectly into the cage to pull CNU back within five at 12-7.

Unfortunately, that was as close as the Captains could get. With time on their side, the Generals eventually ran out the clock to seal the victory.

During the game, the Captains held a 17-13 edge in ground balls, including four by Ginebra and three by Galvin and Kirsten Mendelsohn. CNU also caused 10 turnovers to help frustrate the W&L attack, but Mulligan finished with nine saves to earn the win for the Generals. Slough posted seven stops for the Captains.

Christopher Newport will return to action on February 25 for a non-conference showdown with Bridgewater at Captains Turf Field. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m.

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