NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Meaghan Galvin became the fifth player in program history to register 10 points in a single game as the senior standout lifted the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team past Roanoke, 18-5, on a frigid Saturday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.
 
Against the Maroons, Galvin erupted for five goals and five assists. With that performance, she joined Wendy Wilson, Kristen Conques, Meghan Harkey, and Ashton Marshall as the only Captains to reach the 10-point plateau.
 
Although Galvin put on a tremendous performance, her teammates were equally impressive. Helping out on the attack, Catie Chess notched five points, including four goals, while Erin Callahan contributed a hat-trick as well. Meanwhile, on the defensive end, freshman Kaitlyn Ready was electric between the pipes as the first-year star made 10 saves to quiet the Maroon offense.
 
Along with Ready, Katie Gaskin suffocated Roanoke while helping anchor the back line. Flying all around the field, the senior caused five turnovers, which established a new career-high and equaled the fifth-highest single-game total in program history.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 3-2 on the season. The setback drops Roanoke to 0-2.
 
From the outset, the Captains put on a show. Callahan got things started with the game's first two goals in less than four minutes of action. Later, Galvin kicked off her historic performance with a dart to push the lead to three before adding a slick feed to stretch the advantage further. After gaining possession on the near side of the field, she drew the defense's attention, which allowed Chess to burn towards the crease. With pinpoint precision, Galvin hit her in stride with a perfectly placed pass to set up the squad's fourth strike.
 
While the offense was lighting up the scoreboard, the defense did its job as well. Right from the start, Carly Wilson rode a Maroon right out of bounds to force an early turnover before Chess deflected a free-position shot by the visitors. Later, Ready was on her game, registering four saves in the early part of the contest, including a gorgeous stop on a low rocket off an eight-meter shot.
 
Meanwhile, the CNU attack never lost its rhythm. Galvin laced a free-position goal and assisted on a strike by Colleen Bourgal to push the lead to six. Moments later, Ready scooped up a ground ball and flashed a little offensive prowess. Showing off her patience, she held the ball in the crease before Tess D'Arcy burst open near midfield. Incredibly, Ready lofted a rainbow that dropped perfectly to D'Arcy, who caught it in-stride, cruised through the rest of the RC defense, and unleashed a bullet on the run to push the lead to seven.
 
Still rolling, Christopher Newport continued to stretch its lead late in the first half. Samantha Wettengel unleashed an eight-meter rope before Galvin slammed home her third strike off a feed from Chess. Although the Maroons were able to keep their deficit within single digits after slipping free for three late goals, CNU brushed off the momentary setback. First, Sarah Culver and Chess were able to answer with a pair of goals on the offensive end before the defense clamped down again.
 
With just a minute left in the first half, Roanoke looked ready to add a fourth goal after an attacker snuck free. Showing her wheels, Lindsay Weaver caught up to the breakaway and forced the Maroon around the crease. On the far side, Gaskin greeted her and forced another miscue to regain possession and close out the half with an 11-3 advantage.
 
Continuing her work in the second stanza, Gaskin frustrated the Maroons as she jumped into the passing lane and intercepted two feeds to keep the ball in Christopher Newport's possession. Capitalizing on the defensive efforts, Galvin assisted on back-to-back goals by Chess and Callahan to earn a double-digit lead at 13-3.
 
Although Roanoke was able to cut the lead back down to nine, Galvin answered. She smoked another free-position goal, found Caitlin King cutting through the zone for the squad's 15th strike, and shook off a monstrous hit while lacing a man-up tally to push the lead to 16-5 with three minutes remaining in regulation.
 
With little left to prove, Weaver added an eight-meter goal and Chess drove home her fourth of the game in the waning moments to seal the 18-5 victory.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport held a 32-16 edge in shots and a 13-12 lead in ground balls. Gaskin picked up a team-high three rollers, while D'Arcy and Culver notched two apiece. Galvin also contributed five draw controls to round out her incredible performance, while Bourgal and Mariah Ginebra collected two apiece.
 
CNU will return to action on Wednesday when the squad heads to Wilmington, North Carolina for a neutral-site tilt with Catholic at 4 p.m.
 
---CNU---