Live Stats // Video Stream

WINCHESTER, Va. -- The Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team will open up the 2020 campaign on Saturday at 2 p.m. when the Captains travel to Shenandoah for a non-conference clash at Sprint Field.

For those fans unable to attend the season opener, live stats and a video stream of the action will be available at SUHornets.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

Christopher Newport welcomes back seven players who started at least 15 games last season, including Cat Leighty, who paced the squad with 67 points and 34 assists. Zoe Dyer also had a breakout freshman campaign during which she added 31 goals and 22 assists while finishing third on the squad with 53 total points.

Sam Wettengel and Kendall Krause are also back after collecting All-Conference accolades last season. Krause joined Dyer to help form the backbone of a dynamic freshman class while helping anchor the defensive unit. Meanwhile, Wettengel was a well-rounded force as she established a new single-season program record with 42 takeaways while adding 25 goals on the offensive end.

Among other standout veterans, Kaitlyn Ready returns for her senior season after ranking 10th in the NCAA with 202 saves last year. Gracie Sanders will also serve as a team captain for the second straight season, joining Wettengel and Riley Rafterry-Lee as the core of the squad's leadership group.

Ranked fourth in the ODAC Preseason Coaches Poll, Shenandoah returns a talented collection of experienced veterans from last year's roster, which compiled a 12-7 record in 2019. Incredibly, all four of SU's All-Conference performers are back from last season, including a pair of first-team selections. Alyson Bittinger returns after leading the Hornets with 61 goals during her sophomore season, while Emma Hardisky anchored the defense and forced 34 turnovers.

In addition to the first-team honorees, Nikki Zerna and Jess Spindler also nabbed second-team All-League plaudits last season. Zerna slotted second on the team with 38 goals and 57 points, while Spindler forced 21 turnovers and snatched 31 ground balls. 

Perennial rivals, Christopher Newport and Shenandoah have met 21 times with the Captains holding a 19-2 edge in the series. Last year, Dyer torched the Hornets with four goals during a 17-9 victory in Newport News. Katie Orrison also stung the back of the net with three strikes, while Ready collected 10 saves. 

Following Saturday's battle, Christopher Newport will return to action on February 22 for a 2 p.m. showdown with Roanoke at Jennings Family Stadium.

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