NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After erasing a five-goal deficit on Saturday, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team could not quite complete its second straight comeback bid in less than a week as CNU dropped a 17-14 decision to Washington (Md.) during a non-conference showdown on a frigid Tuesday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.
 
Staring at a seven-goal shortage with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation, the Captains strung together five straight strikes but simply ran out of time to complete the comeback. During the game, Sarah Culver ripped five goals for CNU, while Catherine Leighty contributed four points. Julia Golden also stuffed the stat sheet with two goals, three caused turnovers, and seven draw controls.
 
With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 3-4 on the season. The victory bumps Washington (Md.) to 4-1.
 
Finding a rhythm early, the Captains jumped out to a fast lead. Three minutes into the game, Leighty earned a free-position attempt and scorched the turf with a low liner to snatch a 1-0 advantage. Moments later, after Culver secured the ensuing draw, Gracie Sanders connected with Golden, who pumped her first strike to gain a two-goal edge.
 
After the visitors retaliated with three straight goals, Culver took control. In the 15th minute, the junior sensation took a bruising hit and stumbled towards the turf. While falling forward, she still had the ability to unload a shot just before hitting the ground. Incredibly, the ball stung the back of the net to even the score at three.
 
Trading blows, Washington (Md.) fired back moments later before Culver struck again. Working her way towards the crease, she faked a rollback, spun around a defender, and drilled her second goal in less than two minutes to even the score again.
 
With both offenses rolling, Madison Callan pieced together a tremendous defensive stand to help slow the onslaught. At the top of the zone, she badgered an attacker and dislodged the ball for a brief second. Although the Shorewomen were able to regain possession, the freshman kept up the intensity and quickly stripped the ball from another player before grabbing the roller and flipping the field.
 
Unfortunately, the visitors were undeterred. Although Culver came through with her third tally after bouncing off another hit along the interior, Washington (Md.) scored four of the next five goals to snatch an 8-5 lead.
 
Looking to steal back some momentum, Leighty lofted a perfect pass over the WC defense to Golden. Catching the ball in-stride, the junior converted on the doorstep to pull back within two.
 
Continuing the seesaw affair, the Shorewomen quickly added their ninth strike and had an opportunity for more with time winding down in the first half. Facing a ferocious attack, Mackenzie Regen knocked the ball away for a moment. Although the visitors were able to regain control shortly thereafter, Kaitlyn Ready walled off the cage on a free-position attempt to keep the deficit at three entering the break.
 
After halftime, the CNU defense remained vigilant early on. Ready made two quick saves, including another eight-meter stop, while Golden forced a turnover. Later, after a yellow card was issued to the visitors, Leighty made them pay with a man-up dagger to pull within two at 9-7.
 
Firing right back, the Shorewomen responded with three straight strikes to take a comfortable 12-7 lead. Still fighting, Tess D'Arcy grabbed the next draw before Callan capitalized. Cruising around the near side of the field, the freshman wrapped around the pipe and buried a dart just under the crossbar for the second goal of her collegiate career.
 
Unfortunately, despite a free-position goal by Sanders with 11 minutes remaining in regulation, the Shorewomen extended their lead to 16-9 to grab control of the contest.
 
After their epic comeback against Meredith on Saturday, the Captains dug in and attempted another miracle. Slicing up the defense, Culver scored back-to-back goals during a 30-second surge. Later, Sanders and Carly Wilson capitalized on free-position attempts before Leighty ran circles around a pair of defenders prior to finding Colleen Bourgal, who hammered home the squad's fifth straight goal with just over two minutes left in regulation.
 
Sadly, the Shorewomen were able to regroup. After controlling the draw, the visitors tacked on one last goal before running out the clock to seal the victory.
 
Overall, Washington (Md.) held a 38-25 edge in shots and a 20-13 lead in draw controls. Both teams secured 17 ground balls, including four by Callan and three apiece by Golden and Sanders. Meanwhile, Ready finished with 13 saves, marking her fifth straight double-digit outing.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Thursday when the team hosts Haverford at 4 p.m.
 
---CNU---