DOVER, Del. -- Thirteen players scored at least one goal, while Catie Chess and Anna Bowers contributed three apiece, as the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team kicked off Capital Athletic Conference action with a 19-1 triumph over Wesley on Saturday afternoon at Drass Field.
 
Along with Chess and Bowers, Colleen Bourgal totaled four points, including a pair of goals, while Maria Gianelle also scored twice. Helping balance out a well-rounded offensive attack, Kylie Chaplin, Meaghan Galvin, and Sarah Culver all added a goal and two assists as well.
 
Excelling in all facets of the game, Chess and Mariah Ginebra both forced three turnovers against the Wolverines, while Galvin tallied a game-high nine draw controls. Ginebra also scooped up five ground balls to help anchor CNU's stout defensive unit.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport extends its winning streak to four straight games and improves to 5-1 on the season. The setback drops Wesley to 2-4.
 
Coming off of back-to-back 10-goal victories, the Captains continued their offensive assault from the outset. Making quick work of the Wolverines, the visitors snapped off the game's first seven goals in less than eight minutes of action. Kicking off the surge, Bourgal notched a pair of goals during that streak, while Galvin added a strike and two assists. Chess also recorded a free-position tally, while Chaplin and Gianelle fired two straight goals during a 30-second, rapid-fire attack to help push the lead to 7-0.
 
Although Wesley was able to light up the scoreboard shortly thereafter, the Captains shook off the momentary setback and used a stifling defensive presence to stretch their lead. First, Chess caused a turnover, which Culver eventually turned into her 14th goal of the season. Moments later, Julia Golden caused a miscue that Chess flipped into another bullet to push the lead to 9-1 midway through the first half.
 
With work left to do, Chess and Carly Wilson tacked on two straight eight-meter rockets to earn a 10-goal advantage. Despite the large lead, the squad continued to do solid work on both ends of the field. First, Emma Walsh made a great save off a free-position attempt before Gianelle and Meghan O'Reilly tossed two late goals on the board to nail down a 13-1 edge entering halftime.
 
Following the break, the CNU defense continued to frustrate the Wesley attack. In the first 10 minutes of the period, the Captains forced four miscues, including a pair of caused turnovers by Ginebra. Walsh also stood tall between the pipes, stoning another eight-meter laser to keep the 12-goal lead.
 
After the defensive stand, Bowers put on a show. Piecing together a breakout performance, the freshman collected her first three collegiate goals during an electric five-minute stretch. She opened up the run with a free-position dart before adding her second goal off a feed from Culver. Looking for the hat-trick, she found it with a one-timer with 15 minutes left in regulation.
 
With the game in hand, CNU eased into the victory. Hanna Slough entered the contest in the second half and made her presence felt with a free-position save late in regulation. Moments later, Sasha Towne and Corbyn Hale joined forces on back-to-back goals before Kirsten Mendelsohn added the final nail to wrap up the 19-1 victory.
 
Overall, the Captains held a 34-7 edge in shots and a 25-20 lead in ground balls. CNU also secured 17 of the game's 21 draws and converted 13 of the squad's 14 clear attempts.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday when the team hosts Randolph-Macon in a non-conference battle at 4 p.m.
 
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