NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Showcasing its high-powered attack, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team capitalized on terrific efforts by Sarah Culver and Carly Wilson to take down St. Mary's (Md.), 19-16, during the first round of the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament on a scorching Saturday evening at Captains Turf Field.
                       
Against the Seahawks, Culver erupted for seven goals, including three on eight-meter shots. Her seven goals equaled the fourth-highest single-game total in CNU history, while her 18 free-position strikes this year are a new program record. Former All-American Meaghan Galvin set the previous mark of 17 in 2014.
 
Along with Culver's offensive showcase, Wilson also contributed seven points, including six assists. Her six helpers tied the third-highest single-game total in program history and stand as the most by a Captain since Becca Geist also dished out six assists against N.C. Wesleyan on April 3, 2013.
 
Starring on the other side of the field, Mackenzie Regen forced six turnovers during the contest, tying the third-highest single-game total in program history. Her six caused turnovers also mark the most by a Captain since Sally Allstadt tied the CNU record with eight at Marymount on April 16, 2006.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 10-8 on the season and advances to the CAC semifinals for a bout at No. 3 Salisbury on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Meanwhile, the setback drops St. Mary's (Md.) to 8-10.
 
Jumping out to an early lead, the Captains drained two of the game's first three goals. Kicking off their historic efforts quickly, Culver capitalized on an assist from Wilson to get things rolling. Two minutes later, Colleen Bourgal battled her way through a scrum in front of the crease after a loose ball hit the turf. Securing the roller, the senior jammed home her first goal to grab a 2-1 edge.
 
Battling back, St. Mary's (Md.) strung together four straight goals to steal a 5-2 lead before CNU regained its footing. In the 11th minute, with the shot clock ticking down, Culver spun a defender and sniped from the far side for her second strike. Just over a minute later, Wilson and Bourgal ran a beautiful give-and-go off a free-position attempt. Bourgal pulled the ball out and dished to Wilson before securing the return feed on a dead sprint towards the cage on the way to the squad's fourth tally.
 
Inching closer, Culver earned another eight-meter shot and whistled a worm-burner that skidded through the goalie to pull CNU back within one at 6-5.
 
Settling in for a seesaw affair, the two squads traded the final four goals of the first half, including daggers by Bourgal and Katie Orrison, as St. Mary's (Md.) took an 8-7 edge into the break.
 
Following halftime, the teams once again traded goals, including a dart by Julia Golden. Looking to inch free, CNU answered with two straight tallies by Golden and Wilson only to watch the Seahawks respond with back-to-back goals of their own to keep an 11-10 edge.
 
Tired of the back-and-forth battle, the Captains found their rhythm. Regen forced a turnover to give the ball back to the attack before Caitlin King used tremendous hustle to keep the possession alive during a fight for the loose ball. Seconds later, Culver hopped a shot into the back of the cage to even things at 11.
 
Continuing to flash her scoring touch, Culver came right back and landed another blow after taking a hit while performing a barrel roll to cap off an acrobatic strike. Fostering a one-goal edge, Orrison stretched the lead after pumping back-to-back goals to push the advantage to 14-11.
 
Just as effective all over the field, Tess D'Arcy ate up a rollback during an SMC surge, while Corbyn Hale battled an attacker around the arc to prevent a shot. Meanwhile, Culver and Catherine Leighty starred on the draw. On back-to-back attempts, Leighty elevated and high-pointed the ball, swatting it out of the air before a Seahawk could gain control. Taking advantage, Culver secured both rollers to keep the ball in CNU's hands.
 
Capitalizing on the extra possessions, D'Arcy converted a free-position shot, while Golden and Wilson teamed up on another goal to grab a 16-11 lead with 15 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Not surprisingly, in a series filled with edge-of-your-seat thrillers, St. Mary's (Md.) refused to go down quietly. The visitors tossed four straight goals on the board to pull back within one. Later, after Golden slipped free on the interior for her fourth strike, SMC shot right back in less than 30 seconds to keep the deficit at one.
 
Needing to slow down the Seahawks, Taylor Walker batted down a pass along the crease with just over four minutes remaining before Kaitlyn Ready came up with a crucial ground ball to regain possession. After the Captains completed a successful clear, Culver put the finishing touches on her historic afternoon.
 
First, with three minutes left, the seas parted as Culver split two defenders on a run towards the cage. After she was fouled by a Seahawk, the third-year star sank an eight-meter missile. Shortly thereafter, she earned another eight-meter attempt. This time, she cruised in, juked the keeper, and slammed home her seventh strike to grab a 19-16 lead.
 
Following a St. Mary's (Md.) timeout, CNU polished off the victory. With over a minute left, Ready came through with her 15th save of the contest after stoning a free-position attempt to wrap up the win.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport held a 43-36 edge in shots and a 29-23 lead in ground balls. Regen and Ready both collected four rollers, while five other Captains had three apiece. Meanwhile, Culver finished with seven draw controls, while D'Arcy added five.
 
With her seven draw controls, Culver now has 56 this year. Coupled with her 65 goals, she is just the second Captain in program history to record at least 50 goals and 50 draw controls in a single season, joining CNU Hall of Famer Kaitlin Quigley. She is also the first player in the CAC to accomplish that feat since 2014.
 
---CNU---