NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite a valiant effort in the second half, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team could not overcome its early deficit as CNU dropped a 14-10 decision to McDaniel on a cloud-covered Thursday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.

During the contest, Catie Chess scored three times for the Captains, while Erin Callahan and Meaghan Galvin both posted a pair of goals. On the defensive end, Hanna Slough registered 12 saves for CNU, while Mariah Ginebra forced three turnovers. Galvin and Tess D'Arcy also caused two miscues apiece.

With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 4-4 on the season. The victory bumps McDaniel to 5-2.

From the start, the Green Terror proved to be the aggressor. Dominating on draws and controlling possession, the visitors rolled out to a 6-1 lead despite an early strike by Carly Wilson. Facing an imposing deficit, the Captains continued to battle and slowly began to claw their way back into the contest.

Following a yellow card on McDaniel, CNU chopped its deficit down to four. Kylie Chaplin fed the ball to Galvin, who made a quick cut, spun her defender, and had a clean look for her first goal of the contest. Although the visitors were able to toss two more goals on the board to secure an 8-2 edge, Christopher Newport came back swinging.

After Ginebra forced a turnover, Lindsay Weaver did the rest. The sophomore rolled around the back of the offensive zone and wrapped around the far post. Still sprinting, she cut towards the goal and peppered a shot from the doorstep for CNU's third score. Two minutes later, Chess struck for the first time with a great heads-up play. After the ball was dislodged during a scrum in front of the cage, Chess cruised in, grabbed the roller, and flipped a quick dagger into the back of the net to whittle the deficit down to 8-4.

Although McDaniel was able to tack on one last goal just before time expired in the first half, the Captains continued their comeback bid early in the second stanza.

Following a fast save by Slough, Chess took possession, cleared the zone, and pieced together a dead sprint straight at the McDaniel goal. Looking for a quick strike, she snapped off a one-timer that brought CNU back within four. Just over two minutes later, following a huge turnover forced by D'Arcy, the surge continued.

After Callahan grabbed control on the far side of the field, the second-year standout whipped a spinner towards the pipes. Although McDaniel's goalie got a piece of the shot, the ball spun through her legs and pulled the hosts back within three. Shortly thereafter, Callahan returned to the scene and sent a perfect feed to Chess, who curled around her defender and buried a shot to whittle MC's lead down to 9-7 with 20 minutes remaining.

Unfortunately, the Green Terror was able to respond. Sensing a shift in momentum, McDaniel regrouped and bounced back. Eventually, the visitors strung together three straight scores during a six-minute surge to retake a five-goal edge.

Needing a stop, Christopher Newport whistled for a timeout. Following the stoppage, Caitlin Osbourne pieced together a spectacular defensive stand. The senior latched onto a Terror attacker and road her through the offensive zone before dropping the hammer and forcing a turnover. Although the Captains were eventually able to clear the ball, McDaniel withstood the offensive surge and eventually added another strike to snatch a 13-7 lead with nine minutes left.

Refusing to back down, the Captains continued to show heart. Off a free-position attempt by the visitors, McDaniel had a pointblank shot from the near post. Standing tall, Slough made a sensational save to steal the ball back. Later, with CNU trying to withstand a tough man-down situation following a pair of yellow cards, Ginebra jumped on a loose ball to gain possession before clearing the zone. With some hope, Colleen Bourgal sent her defender spinning before driving home a dart to pull back within five.

Unfortunately, McDaniel quickly retaliated and added its 14th goal with five minutes left in regulation. With the game slipping away, Christopher Newport was able to tack on two more scores before the final horn. Wilson found a streaking Callahan for the first strike before Galvin burst through the defense and added her second goal to cap off the scoring.

Overall, McDaniel held a slim 32-30 edge in shots but dominated on draws, 20-6. The Captains led the way in ground balls, 20-18. On an individual level, Ginebra and Slough both picked up three ground balls. Kirsten Mendelsohn led the squad with two draw controls.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the squad heads to St. Mary's for a 1 p.m. battle.

---CNU---