SALISBURY, Md. -- Facing the defending national champions, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team saw its three-game winning streak come to an end as the Captains dropped a 15-2 decision to No. 6 Salisbury during a Capital Athletic Conference match-up on Tuesday evening at Sea Gull Stadium.

Jen Doering and Erin Callahan both contributed first-half goals for CNU, while Hanna Slough made 14 saves between the pipes. Mariah Ginebra also did outstanding work on the defensive end with a game-high five ground balls. Meaghan Galvin added four draw controls as well.

With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 7-6 on the season, including 3-2 in conference action. The victory bumps Salisbury to 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the CAC.

From the outset, the Sea Gulls found their rhythm. The hosts tossed two quick goals on the board to put the Captains on their heels. Although Slough responded with a pair of solid saves and Tess D'Arcy pieced together a nice ride on the defensive end, which led to an SU turnover, the Salisbury attack continued to surge.

Eventually, CNU found itself staring at an 8-0 deficit midway through the first half. Refusing to back down, the Captains orchestrated their finest run of the early going. First, Carly Wilson controlled a draw before Doering took over in the offensive zone. Following a foul, Doering earned a free-position attempt and bolted in from the far side before unloading a dart to put the visitors on the board.

Unfortunately, Salisbury continued to attack and fired back with three straight goals to earn a double-digit advantage. Looking to respond, Galvin collected the ensuing draw and the CNU attack settled in. Following crisp ball movement behind the cage, which pulled the SU defense towards the back line, Callahan worked free at the top of the zone and eventually secured a feed before driving home Christopher Newport's second goal with seven minutes remaining in the half.

Although the Sea Gulls answered with a goal of their own, the CNU defense regrouped and blanked the hosts over the final six minutes of the period. Slough led the way with three late saves, while Ginebra and Caitlin Osbourne both scooped up loose balls to keep the score at 12-2 entering halftime.

Following the break, the Captains continued to clamp down on the SU attack. Slough stood tall with a pair of early saves, including an impressive stop off an eight-meter shot, during a spotless nine-minute run. Eventually, Salisbury was able to break through again, but Christopher Newport kept up its defensive intensity.

After the hosts earned a man advantage following a yellow card against the Captains, CNU killed off the penalty with another suffocating stand. Kirsten Mendelsohn played tight defense and helped break up a centering feed before Ginebra swooped in, grabbed the roller, and helped clear the zone. Later, Slough made back-to-back saves to cap off the run and keep the Sea Gulls in check.

Although the hosts were eventually able to regain their touch with two late goals, Christopher Newport battled until the end. Galvin put together an exciting offensive run and used her athleticism to sneak free before peppering the Sea Gulls with four straight shots. Later, Catie Chess also had a sustained surge and snapped off two darts, including one that just missed the mark and caught the crossbar.

Unfortunately, the offense was unable to find an opening in the second half against the vaunted Salisbury defense, which leads the nation with a 5.64 goals-against-average.

Overall, the Sea Gulls held a commanding 31-16 edge in shots and a 16-12 advantage in ground balls. SU also controlled 13 of the game's 19 draws.

Christopher Newport will be back in action on Saturday when the Captains return home for a 4 p.m. contest against Marymount. Prior to the game, CNU will hold its annual Senior Day festivities.

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