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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After jumping up two spots in the latest IWLCA National Coaches Poll, the 17th-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team will face a pair of games this week as the Captains host Southern Virginia in a Capital Athletic Conference battle on Wednesday at 3 p.m. before heading to Roanoke for a 4 p.m. showdown on Friday at Kerr Stadium.
 
Entering the two-game stretch, Christopher Newport stands at 8-1, including 3-0 in the CAC. Guided by their seven-game winning streak, the Captains earned 65 points in the latest IWLCA poll, which earned them the No. 17 spot in the national rankings.
 
Meanwhile, Southern Virginia enters Wednesday's contest with a 6-5 record, including an 0-3 ledger in league play. On Friday, CNU will battle Roanoke, who sits at 3-5 on the season with an 0-1 mark in home games.
 
A LOOK AT THE CAPTAINS
 
Entering the midpoint of league action, Meaghan Galvin currently leads the CAC with 48 points and 63 draw controls. She also ranks among the top-five with 27 goals and 21 assists. Lethal from the eight-meter arc, she has converted 12 of her 13 free-position shots this year. Her .923 conversion rate places her in the top-five nationally.
 
Equally stout on the defensive end, Emma Walsh is the league-leader in save percentage with a .591 mark, while Mariah Ginebra is sixth in the conference with 15 caused turnovers. Frustrating opponents all over the field, Tess D'Arcy has also caused nine miscues, while Corbyn Hale, Kirsten Mendelsohn, Catie Chess, and Lindsay Weaver have forced eight apiece.
 
As a team, CNU leads the Capital with a 15.15 goals-per-game average and sits second with a .523 shooting percentage. The squad also ranks third in the CAC with a 7.00 goals-against-average.
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
On Saturday, CNU picked up its seventh straight victory with a 16-5 triumph at Frostburg State. During the game, Galvin tied her career-high with eight points, including five goals. Chess also added a hat-trick, while Sarah Culver scored a pair.
 
On the defensive side, Walsh earned the win after making seven saves for Christopher Newport, while Hale and Maria Gianelle forced two turnovers apiece. Galvin added a game-high six draw controls, and Walsh collected four ground balls as well.
 
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
 
Southern Virginia enters Wednesday's tilt after dropping a 15-2 decision at No. 20 St. Mary's (Md.). The Knights have won three of their last five outings with their only setbacks coming against the 20th-ranked Seahawks and the 7th-ranked Salisbury Sea Gulls.
 
Overall, Rainey Whitworth has led the Knights and is tied for the CAC lead with 30 goals. A well-rounded player, she also boasts a team-high 38 draw controls, 38 ground balls, and 19 caused turnovers. Meanwhile, fellow senior Zoe Bradshaw sits second on the team with 24 goals, while Claire Houghtaling has scored 14 times. On the defensive end, Melanie Lytle and Rachel Miller have split time in goal while combining for a 10.64 goals-against-average and a .364 save percentage.
 
SCOUTING THE MAROONS
 
Roanoke comes into Friday after dropping back-to-back decisions, including a 17-11 setback against No. 20 St. Mary's (Md.) on Saturday. During that contest, Claire Feeney came through with a team-high six points, while Meredith Bigelow added four goals. Emma Blair and Victoria Smith split time in the crease and combined for six saves.
 
Overall this season, Feeney leads the team with 27 goals and 43 points. Bigelow has also scored 26 teams while collecting a team-high 32 draw controls. On the defensive side, Emma Boris leads the way with 12 caused turnovers, while Feeney and Reed Walter have forced seven apiece. Blair has started all eight games in goal for the Maroons and sports a .271 save percentage and a 16.69 goals-against-average.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Christopher Newport and Southern Virginia have met twice with the Captains boasting a pristine 2-0 record in the series. Last year, CNU notched a 20-3 victory behind four goals apiece from Galvin and Carly Wilson.
 
The Captains and Maroons have squared off 12 times with Roanoke holding a 7-5 edge in the all-time series. Last year, CNU posted a 14-11 victory in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. During that contest, Kylie Chaplin erupted for a career-high seven goals, while Colleen Bourgal added three.

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