NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite six points from Catie Chess and a hat-trick by Colleen Bourgal, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team fell just short in an overtime thriller against Bridgewater as CNU dropped a 14-13 decision on a warm Wednesday evening at Captains Turf Field.

During the contest, Chess erupted for four goals and a pair of assists, while Bourgal notched her first hat-trick since connecting on four shots against Randolph-Macon on March 16, 2016. Rounding out an impressive showing by the squad's senior class, Carly Wilson contributed four points, including three helpers.

Along with the veterans, freshman Catherine Leighty made an outstanding debut with two goals and a pair of caused turnovers, while sophomore Katie Orrison dished out two assists.

With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 0-1 on the season. Bridgewater now stands at 1-0.

Early in the contest, the Captains looked comfortable on the offensive side of the ball. During a rapid-fire assault, the hosts scored back-to-back goals in the span of seven seconds. First, Chess sliced through the defense for the game's first tally before assisting on the next score. Off the ensuing draw, Chess snared the roller and fed the ball to Wilson, who burst through and slammed one home from the doorstep. The seven-second span between goals equaled the second-shortest in program history, falling just shy of the six-second blitzkrieg against Ferrum on April 18, 2008.

Although the Eagles retaliated shortly thereafter, Sarah Culver fired back as the junior cut hard around a defender and sniped her first goal from the far side of the field to steal a 3-1 lead in the fifth minute.

Following the offensive showcase, the defense stepped up with a solid run. Hannah Curry and Corbyn Hale both forced turnovers, while Kaitlyn Ready snared an on-target shot to keep the Bridgewater attack quiet.

Eventually, the visitors inched back within one, but Christopher Newport returned with another furious offensive rally. In the 11th minute, Wilson connected with a cutting Chess, who dropped one inside the left pipe. One minute later, following a Bridgewater timeout, Tess D'Arcy looped a pass over the defense to Caroline Kurtz. In the middle of a cluttered zone, the freshman corralled the pass and laced a shot on the move to secure a 5-2 advantage.

Staring at a three-goal deficit, the Eagles quickly flipped the script. Over the next 13 minutes, Bridgewater strung together five straight goals to take a 7-5 edge. Needing a response, Leighty came through with her first collegiate strike after capitalizing on a pass by Bourgal near the center of the circle. Thirty seconds later, Bourgal showed off her finishing skills following a feed from Orrison to knot the game at seven with three minutes left in the half.

Although Bridgewater was able to break the deadlock just before the end of the first period, Christopher Newport regrouped. Kicking things off in the second half, Chess took a hit while battling through contact to earn a free-position attempt. Lethal from the eight-meter arc, the senior captain converted her 11th straight free-position shot dating back to last season after slicing through the circle. Moments later, Samantha Wettengel gave the hosts a 9-8 lead after firing a dagger off a pass from Orrison.

Trading blows, the Eagles dropped in two straight goals of their own before the Captains matched that run. With the possession clock running down in the 40th minute, Wilson fed over the crease to Leighty, who torched the back of the net. Less than a minute later, Chess dropped a pass inside to Bourgal, who snapped off a dart in the circle to retake an 11-10 lead.

Following a BC timeout, the visitors continued the seesaw affair with back-to-back bullets before Christopher Newport answered with strikes by Chess and Bourgal to snatch a 13-12 lead with 16 minutes left in regulation.

Looking to hold on, the Captains fought hard on the defensive end. Wilson headlined the squad's efforts as she pieced together a spectacular ride while sticking on the hip of a BC defender to force a turnover. Minutes later, she came back with a great check to dislodge the ball from an Eagle before Julia Golden pounced on the roller to regain possession. Unfortunately, Bridgewater eventually found a little daylight with four minutes remaining to even the score at 13.

Following the equalizer, BC secured the draw and burst free on a breakaway. Standing tall between the pipes, freshman Jessica Ross made the save of the game as she snatched a low liner off the turf to keep the game knotted. Later, Taylor Walker forced a turnover to give CNU its last opportunity to end the game in regulation, but the hosts could not quite capitalize. Bourgal's ensuing shot was saved by the visitors before Culver's rip was blocked. Although Jordan Hayes made a great play to retain possession, time eventually ran out.

After 60 minutes of back-and-forth action, Kurtz opened the overtime period by collecting the draw, while Hayes kept possession with another ground ball. Sadly, the Eagles held firm on the defensive end and eventually forced a turnover. With possession, Bridgewater bolted down the field before Anna O'Hara found an opening to give the visitors the victory.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 34-30 advantage in shots and controlled 18 of the game's 29 draws, including seven by Chess, but the Eagles were able to survive the overtime period and pull out the win.

CNU will return to action on Saturday when the squad travels to Virginia Wesleyan for a 1 p.m. tilt.

---CNU---