HOBOKEN, N.J. -- Kaitlyn Ready anchored a stout defensive effort, while Sarah Culver nearly outscored Stevens by herself as the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team picked up its third straight victory with a 7-5 triumph over the Ducks on Sunday afternoon at the De Baun Athletic Complex.
 
Ready was spectacular on the defensive end as the freshman came through with a season-high 14 saves, including six on free-position attempts. Catie Chess also caused three turnovers against Stevens, while Mariah Ginebra added a pair to help balance out a solid all-around effort by the CNU defense.
 
Meanwhile, on the offensive end, Culver stole the show. The sophomore standout matched the Ducks with five goals as she scored four times in the first half before adding a key go-ahead strike early in the second stanza. Caitlin King and Meaghan Galvin also found the back of the net to round out the offensive attack.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 6-3 on the season. The setback knocks Stevens from the ranks of the unbeaten as the Ducks fall to 5-1 on the season.
 
In the first half, the Captains pieced together solid efforts on both sides of the ball. After Stevens opened the scoring, the CNU defense settled in. Leading the way, Ready was tremendous on free-position attempts as the freshman stoned a pair of eight-meter shots and also added a pointblank save following a pass to the doorstep on another free-position play. Lindsay Weaver also chipped in with a quick clear, badgered a cutter to break up a pass to the interior, and teamed with Julia Golden to force a turnover and end a separate threat.
 
Meanwhile, on the offensive end, Culver was nearly unstoppable. She carved up the Ducks and deposited four straight goals to give the Captains a 4-1 edge with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
 
Holding a three-goal advantage, Christopher Newport attempted to retain the lead with another solid effort on the defensive side. After Stevens cut its deficit to two shortly after Culver's fourth goal, Ginebra disrupted a scoring opportunity and nearly caused a turnover during a long defensive stand. Later, Chess rode an attacker around the zone and forced an off-target shot before using a great stick check on the other side of the field to dislodge the ball from a Duck and regain possession.
 
Unfortunately, the hosts continued to attack. Refusing to back down, Stevens eventually found a little daylight and scored two more goals just before halftime to pull even at four.
 
In the second half, the CNU defense returned to form and quieted the hosts. Weaver and Ginebra double-teamed an attacker to block an early attempt before Ready swallowed up a shot moments later. After the Ducks worked their way back to the offensive end, Ginebra stuck on the hip of her attacker and forced an errant shot before Ready made two more stops on free-position attempts to keep the game knotted at four.
 
Still battling on the defensive side, the Captains continued to face a flurry of eight-meter attempts. Holding strong, Samantha Wettengel managed to disrupt one try before Jordan Hayes got in the way of another. Later, Ginebra forced an off-balance shot before Ready gobbled up the ground ball to flip the field.
 
Needing to show life on the offensive end, Culver stepped up. Looking to break the tie, she grabbed possession at the top of the zone and simply stormed right past the Stevens defense. Cruising by three defenders, she eventually worked her way inside the arc before burying her fifth goal with 19 minutes left in regulation.
 
Holding a 5-4 advantage, Christopher Newport looked to gain a little breathing room. First, on the defensive side, Mackenzie Regen forced a high shot off a free-position attempt before Ginebra jumped a passing lane to break up a feed and regain possession. Following a timeout, CNU put together a successful offensive possession. After running time off the clock, King took control, backed down her defender, spun around, and blistered a shot under the crossbar to gain a two-goal advantage with nine minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Needing to respond, Stevens called a timeout and regrouped in the break but continued to struggle against the CNU defense. Shining in the crease, Ready stopped another free-position shot before grabbing possession of a turnaround attempt after a Duck slipped free along the right post. Later, after the Captains gained control, the squad slowed the tempo and cut some time off the clock before Erin Callahan fed inside to Galvin, who snapped off a screamer to push the lead to 7-4 with five minutes remaining.
 
Although Stevens managed to score a goal with four minutes left, the Captains never let them get any closer. After the Ducks controlled the ensuing draw, Chess caused a huge turnover as she burst into the passing lane and intercepted a feed to gain possession. With the ball, Christopher Newport whittled nearly two minutes off the clock before the Ducks stole it back with less than 60 seconds left in regulation. Fittingly, Ready closed out the contest as she brushed aside one last shot in the waning moments to seal the 7-5 victory.
 
Although Stevens held a huge 32-15 lead in shots and a 26-9 advantage in ground balls, Ready's 14 saves were the difference on the defensive end. The Captains also controlled eight of the game's 14 draws, including two apiece by Wettengel and Colleen Bourgal.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Thursday when the squad travels to Buena Vista for a 5 p.m. battle with Southern Virginia.
 
---CNU---