NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Behind another stifling defensive effort and an opportunistic offensive attack, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team extended its winning streak to six straight games as CNU took down St. Mary's (Md.), 11-5, during a crucial Capital Athletic Conference match-up on a windy Saturday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.
 
Facing an SMC attack that had scored in double-digits during six of its first seven outings, the Captains smothered the Seahawks with a relentless defensive performance. On the back end, Emma Walsh put together another terrific effort between the pipes. The freshman goalie made 10 saves, including six on free-position attempts. Guided by that effort, CNU eventually held St. Mary's to an 0-for-8 performance on eight-meter shots.
 
Along with Walsh's performance, eight different Captains forced at least one turnover, including two by Meaghan Galvin. Shining in all facets of the game, the junior also led the team with four points and added seven draw controls.
 
Also helping out on the offensive end, Sarah Culver contributed a hat-trick, and Lindsay Weaver scored twice. The squad also converted five of its seven free-position shots to secure the victory.
 
With the win, Christopher Newport improves to 7-1 on the year, including 2-0 in league action. The setback ends St. Mary's perfect season as the Seahawks fall to 7-1 with an 0-1 mark in CAC play.
 
From the beginning, the Captains found their rhythm on the offensive end. After Mariah Ginebra forced an early miscue, Galvin took advantage. With a defender in her face, she laced a submarine shot through the defense to light up the scoreboard. Less than a minute later, Culver took possession and battled through a slew of Seahawks before brushing off a brutal hit to push the lead to 2-0 with her first goal.
 
Still rolling, the hosts were able to toss their third goal on the board in the 10th minute of action despite playing shorthanded following a yellow card. After a turnover by St. Mary's, Galvin earned a free-position attempt. Electric from the eight-meter arc, she burned a laser into the back of the net to nail down a 3-0 lead.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Seahawks managed to score two straight goals in the middle of the period, but the CNU defense quickly clamped down. Blanketing the field, Maria Gianelle forced a turnover before a great ride by Sam Puglisi caused another. Later, Walsh stoned a free-position shot to regain possession and help flip the field.
 
Looking for a little more wiggle room, the Captains went back to work on the offensive end. With five minutes left in the half, Colleen Bourgal cut hard in front of the cage. Rolling around the crease, the freshman eventually secured a pass from Galvin and unleashed a dart to push the lead to two. Shortly thereafter, Culver capped off the opening stanza with an eight-meter blast to snatch a 5-2 edge entering the break.
 
In the second half, the defense stepped up with another suffocating surge. First, Kirsten Mendelsohn bodied up a cutter deep in the zone to force a turnover. Later, after the Seahawks managed to find an opening for their third goal, Walsh put together a terrific run. The first-year star made a huge save on a pointblank shot before brushing aside another free-position attempt to gain possession.
 
Still fostering a two-goal lead, Christopher Newport began to inch away in the middle of the period. Culver scorched the defense with a free-position tally before Catie Chess scooted right between a pair of defenders on the way to her first goal of the game. Later, Walsh made another key stop and Tess D'Arcy disrupted a run deep inside the CNU zone to force a loose ball and stymie an SMC surge.
 
Although the visitors eventually managed to strike again, the Captains quickly put the game away with a backbreaking run. With possession, Kylie Chaplin kicked off the surge with a heads-up play. As the Seahawks crashed down on her, she flipped the ball to Weaver, who curled around the zone and sniped her first goal of the contest. Later, after Galvin came through with her second free-position strike, Puglisi brought the fans to their feet with a tremendous run.
 
After gaining control at the top of the zone, Puglisi found herself one-on-one with a Seahawk. Liking those numbers, she used a quick cut to her right, which sent her defender spinning to the turf. Gaining a free run at the cage, she motored through the zone before burying a bullet just under the crossbar to grab a 10-4 lead with four minutes left in regulation.
 
With more than enough cushion, the Captains iced the victory. After Weaver capped off her day with another free-position tally, the Seahawks managed to add one final goal, but CNU quickly wrapped up the 11-5 win.
 
St. Mary's actually held a 27-19 advantage in shots and a 23-18 lead in ground balls, but the Captains controlled 10 of the game's 16 draws. The hosts also were unstoppable from the eight-meter arc and Walsh stood tall between the pipes to earn the victory.
 
Christopher Newport will be back in action on March 26 when the team heads to Frostburg State for a 3 p.m. showdown with the Bobcats.
 
---CNU---