NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite a well-rounded offensive attack, which featured four multi-goal scorers, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team dropped an overtime thriller to Haverford, 16-15, during a non-conference battle on a sunny Thursday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.
 
Leading the offensive onslaught, Colleen Bourgal contributed six points, including five goals. Catherine Leighty also chipped in with four goals, while Madison Callan added a hat-trick of her own. Meanwhile, Carly Wilson handed out five assists, which equaled the seventh-highest single game total in program history.
 
On the defensive end, Kaitlyn Ready came through with several clutch stops in the second half and eventually finished with 17 saves to help slow down the Haverford attack. That performance marked her sixth straight double-digit effort.
 
With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 3-5 on the season. The victory bumps Haverford to 5-1.
 
In the early going, Ready made five saves in the first four minutes of action, but the Fords continued to pressure and eventually stole a fast 2-0 lead. Battling back, Culver scored off a feed from Wilson before Callan showed tremendous instincts. In the sixth minute, Leighty fired a free-position attempt that was stoned by Haverford, but Callan swooped in and grabbed the rebound. Without hesitation, the freshman blistered a shot from the doorstep to even the score at two.
 
Although Leighty eventually came back and added a strike after battling through contact near the top of the arc, the visitors scored four of the next five goals to steal a 6-3 lead midway through the opening period.
 
Looking to respond, the Captains flashed their passing skills. Wilson assisted on back-to-back strikes by Callan and Leighty before Sarah Culver came through with a great find to connect with a streaking Julia Golden to knot the score at six.
 
Continuing to trade blows, Haverford sunk two straight goals before CNU retaliated again. Bourgal tossed a pair of strikes on the board after fighting through the HC defense to convert from close range. Later, with just seconds remaining in regulation, Bourgal found Leighty, who used a pump fake to free up some space before driving home a dagger to grab a 9-8 lead entering the break.
 
With their offense rolling, the Captains pieced together a terrific defensive stand early in the second half to keep the Fords in check. Mackenzie Regen slowed down an attacker that slipped free momentarily on an early surge. Later, Gracie Sanders stuck on the hip of another player before Tess D'Arcy pestered a Ford with relentless pressure that eventually led to an errant pass, which gave possession back to CNU.
 
Capitalizing on the other end, Wilson found Callan, who landed a laser in the back of the net to push Christopher Newport's lead to 10-8.
 
Unfortunately, Haverford had an answer. In just over three minutes, the visitors tossed three tallies on the board to retake a one-goal lead. Although Regen picked off a pass to put an end to HC's next possession before Leighty capitalized on the other side, the Fords punched in two more strikes to grab a 13-11 lead midway through the second half.
 
Showing off their comeback skills once again, the hosts never relented. On the offensive side, Bourgal came through with back-to-back goals to knot the score at 13. Meanwhile, the defense was just as relentless. Leighty forced a turnover near the crease before Ready grabbed the loose ball. Moments later, the squad's sophomore goalkeeper made a stop on a breakaway attempt while also adding a pair of man-down saves.
 
Along with Ready's efforts, Golden also deflected an eight-meter attempt, but Haverford eventually regained its rhythm and stole a 15-13 advantage with four minutes remaining in regulation.
 
With some work to do and little time to do it, Christopher Newport dug in. After another save by Ready to quiet the Fords, Bourgal cut around a defender and blistered her fifth goal with less than 90 seconds remaining. Needing to keep possession, Sanders came up with the ensuing draw and Culver made a tremendous hustle play to keep an errant roller from touching the end line.
 
Still in control, Sanders eventually dished to Golden, who punched one home from the interior to knot the game at 15 and force overtime.
 
Unfortunately, the visitors were able to control the opening draw in the extra period and converted an eight-meter attempt just 19 seconds into the third stanza to ice the victory.
 
Overall, Haverford held a 40-24 edge in shots and a 21-16 lead in ground balls. Draws were nearly even with the Fords controlling 17 of the 33 battles. Leighty finished with five draw controls for CNU, while Culver and Claire Chadwick added three apiece.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on March 24 when the team travels to Frostburg State for a 4 p.m. tilt.
 
---CNU---