NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite a well-balanced attack, which saw seven different players score a goal, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team could not overcome a first-half deficit as the squad dropped a hard-fought 20-14 decision against Meredith in the season opener on a soggy Saturday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.
                                             
Despite playing on a rain-soaked field in less-than-optimal conditions, Sarah Culver still erupted for six points, including five goals. Meanwhile, Sam Wettengel also contributed a hat-trick for the Captains, and Victoria Betterly chipped in with two goals and a pair of assists during a solid debut by the first-year standout.
 
Betterly was one of four freshmen who started for the Captains, joining Zoe Dyer, Kendall Krause, and Riley Rafterry-Lee. That equaled the most first-year starters in an opener since the 2010 squad ran out six freshmen in its debut. Incidentally, that 2010 class eventually guided the program to its first victory in the NCAA Tournament when those freshmen suited up as seniors in 2013.
 
Showcasing the program's youth right from the start on Saturday, Dyer assisted on the opening strike by Wettengel before driving home a dagger of her own off a feed from Betterly. Later, Dyer and Wettengel joined forces again on the squad's third tally, but Meredith pushed ahead and snatched a 4-3 advantage just eight minutes into the contest.
 
Firing back, two seniors stepped up from the eight-meter arc. Culver and Golden snapped off a pair of free-position strikes on the way to a 5-5 deadlock. Unfortunately, the visitors stole back the momentum. During a 10-minute window late in the opening period, the Avenging Angels strung together five straight goals to nab a 10-5 edge.
 
Needing to stem the tide, Christopher Newport whistled for a timeout. Regrouping during the break, Betterly came out of the stoppage, burned the defense, and unleashed a scorcher to the back of the net to end Meredith's rally. Just over a minute later, after Taylor Walker forced a turnover to give the ball back to CNU, Culver capitalized with a rocket on the run to pull the hosts back within three at 10-7.
 
Following the break, Meredith stretched its lead back to four before the CNU defense settled in with its finest run of the game. Jackie Baker stuck to the hip of an attacker and forced her behind the crease before Hannah Curry swatted a pass out of the air. Later, Julia Golden caused another miscue by Meredith before Kaitlyn Ready brushed aside an on-target shot to silence the MC attack.
 
Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, the Captains found their rhythm on the offensive end. Culver buried a goal just beneath the cross bar before assisting on a laser by Wettengel to inch back within two. Shortly thereafter, Culver converted a fast-break into her fourth goal of the contest to keep the deficit at two at 12-10.
 
Sadly, Meredith had an answer. The visitors scored five of the next six goals to earn a 17-11 edge with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Refusing to back down, Cat Leighty led Christopher Newport's late-game push. Perched behind the crease, she found Madison Callan cutting through the zone on the way to the team's 11th goal. Two minutes later, she returned with the highlight of the game.
 
Anchored along the right post, Leighty secured a pass from Betterly. With her back to the crease, she did not even waste time turning around. Facing the wrong way, the second-year star slammed home her first goal of the year with a behind-the-back bullet to cut the deficit back down to five at 18-13.
 
Unfortunately, that was as close as the Captains would come. Despite a last-minute goal by Culver, Meredith walked away with a 20-14 triumph.
 
Along with the squad's offensive efforts on Saturday, Ready was a force between the pipes. The junior contributed 14 saves, including four on free-position attempts. She also caused three turnovers and picked up four ground balls. Meanwhile, Golden also forced three miscues, while Walker caused a pair.
 
Overall, Meredith out-shot Christopher Newport, 39-25, and held a 22-13 advantage in draws. Gracie Sanders led the Captains with four draw controls, while Golden and Culver notched three apiece.
 
CNU will return to action on Wednesday when the squad hosts No. 13 Washington & Lee in the Virginia "Lacrosse the Nations" Cup at Captains Field.
 
---CNU---