ARLINGTON, Va. -- Meaghan Galvin scored the game-winning goal just before the final horn sounded as she helped the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team escape its Capital Athletic Conference opener with a victory as the Captains upended Marymount, 12-11, on Saturday afternoon at Long Bridge Park.
 
After vaulting out to an early lead, the Captains held off a late surge by the Saints to pull out the victory. Playing in her hometown, Galvin put on a show for the fans as she finished with five points, including three assists. She also added a game-high seven draw controls, while Sarah Culver contributed a hat-trick as well.
 
On the defensive side, Kaitlyn Ready earned the victory after making eight saves, including a game-saving stop in the final minute of regulation. Mariah Ginebra and Mackenzie Regen also forced two turnovers apiece to help contain the Marymount attack.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 5-3 on the season, including 1-0 in the CAC. The setback drops Marymount to 6-2 with an 0-2 record in league action.
 
After the Captains stormed out to a fast 7-1 lead early in the contest, the Saints chipped away at their deficit and eventually managed to pull even at 10 with nine minutes left in regulation. Setting up for an epic finish, Christopher Newport won the ensuing draw and settled in on the offensive side.
 
Looking to break Marymount's momentum, CNU slowed the pace and worked the ball around the zone. Searching for some daylight, Jordan Hayes eventually connected with Erin Callahan, who burst in and drove home a go-ahead goal with six minutes remaining to snatch an 11-10 edge. Battling right back, the Saints gained control on the other end, shook off a save by Ready, and sniped the equalizer with two minutes left.
 
Back on even ground, MU controlled the ensuing draw and seemed poised to hold for the final shot. As the clock ticked down, the Saints went on the attack with 30 seconds left but ran into a wall. After the hosts fired a shot, Ready stood tall and made the game-saving stop before grabbing the loose ball to give her attack one last attempt.
 
Following a quick clear, Galvin took possession and settled behind the crease. Having no interest in overtime, she beat her defender on the right side of the net, cruised around, and snapped off a diving bullet that found its way into the bottom left corner of the goal to seal the last-second victory.
 
Overall, both squads fired 22 shots during the game, while Christopher Newport held a slim 8-7 advantage in ground balls. The Captains also controlled 14 of the game's 23 draws and successfully converted 11 of their 12 clear attempts.
 
Although the game was a back-and-forth slugfest at the end, the beginning was all Captains. Nearly 60 minutes before her final goal, Galvin added the game's first strike off a feed from Catie Chess. Moments later, Culver tacked on her first tally before Carly Wilson capitalized on an assist by Galvin to steal a fast 3-0 edge. Shortly thereafter, following Marymount's first goal, Christopher Newport erupted.
 
Showing off a balanced attack, the Captains hit the Saints from all angles. Kicking off a ruthless assault, Culver ripped her second goal before Chess punched home one of her own. Later, Wilson stepped up and assisted on a man-up strike by Callahan and a rope by Colleen Bourgal to push the lead to 7-1 with eight minutes remaining in the first half.
 
Unfortunately, Marymount brushed off the early setbacks and went to work. Despite a pair of saves by Ready, the Saints managed to string together three straight goals before the opening period expired to pull back within three entering the break.
 
Although Chess and Hayes teamed up on an early goal for the Captains in the second half, the hosts continued to control the momentum. Marymount scored three of the first four goals in the second stanza to pull within one at 8-7. Despite a pair of strikes by Culver and Bourgal in the middle of the period, the Saints never relented and eventually pulled even with nine minutes left.
 
Fortunately, guided by the late-game heroics from Ready and Galvin, Christopher Newport was able to withstand Marymount's resurgence and steal the victory.
 
CNU will return to action on Sunday when the Captains travel to Stevens for a 2 p.m. battle in Hoboken, New Jersey.
 
---CNU---