SAN JUAN, P.R. -- After hitting the road for Spring Break, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team will kick off a two-game swing in Puerto Rico on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET when the Captains battle Roanoke in a non-conference showdown.
Following Tuesday's action, CNU will take on No. 17 St. John Fisher on Thursday at 10 a.m. ET. Christopher Newport begins the trip with a 1-2 overall record. Both Roanoke and St. John Fisher have yet to play a game this year.
Tuesday's contest will mark the 12th all-time meeting between CNU and Roanoke. Currently, the Maroons hold a 7-4 lead in the series, including a 16-15 double-overtime triumph last year. Meanwhile, Thursday's battle will mark the first-ever meeting between the Captains and Cardinals.
Prior to departing for Puerto Rico, Christopher Newport split a pair of games last week. The squad took down Bridgewater, 19-2, on Wednesday before stumbling against Randolph-Macon, 12-9, on Saturday.
Meaghan Galvin led the way in both games with a pair of six-point efforts.
Colleen Bourgal also contributed five goals during the two contests, including four scores against Bridgewater.
Showing off a well-balanced offensive arsenal, CNU has received at least two goals from eight different players already this year. Galvin leads the squad with nine goals and 14 points, while Bourgal and
Carly Wilson have scored five times each.
Kylie Chaplin has helped balance out the attack with seven assists as well.
On the defensive side of the ball,
Lindsay Weaver and
Mariah Ginebra have both forced five turnovers, while
Kirsten Mendelsohn leads the squad with eight ground balls.
Hanna Slough has also been steady between the pipes, registering a .527 save percentage and an 8.67 goals-against average.
Making the team's season debut on Tuesday, Roanoke was tabbed second in the ODAC's Preseason Coaches Poll after recording a 10-8 record last year. The Maroons return three All-Conference honorees, including Darragh Evarts, who led the team with 71 goals and 103 points in 2014. On the defensive end, RC will turn to Lauren Curtin in goal after she finished fourth last year in the ODAC with 154 saves.
St. John Fisher also returns a solid group from last year's squad, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season and finished with a 15-5 record. The Cardinals welcome back five of their six leading scorers, including Samantha Barton, who ranked second on the team with 54 points and 41 goals. Nicole Hart also returns in goal after compiling a .508 save percentage and a 6.21 goals-against-average last year.
Following their Puerto Rico trip, the Captains will return home on March 11 for a 4 p.m. match-up with Virginia Wesleyan.
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