VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Flashing its firepower during 60 minutes of highlight-reel action, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team used a well-balanced assault to storm past Virginia Wesleyan, 19-3, during a non-conference battle on Wednesday evening at Birdsong Field.
 
Against the Marlins, 10 different Captains registered at least one point. Leading the way, Kelsey Winters recorded seven points, including five assists. With that showcase, she became the first Captain to collect at least five points in three straight games since Carly Wilson and Sarah Culver had similar scoring streaks from March 25-31, 2018.
 
Winters also became the first freshman to rip off three consecutive five-point efforts since Elena Obregon pieced together four straight from March 24-April 3, 2013.
 
Along with Winters, Cat Leighty erupted for six points, including a team-high four goals. Kendall Krause also netted a hat-trick, while Julia Iapicca added the first four points of her career after tallying two goals and a pair of assists.
 
Sam Wettengel also joined an elite group of well-rounded standouts with her performance during the game. The senior posted two goals, five draw controls, and a caused turnover. Aided by those efforts, she became just the fifth player in program history to tally at least 50 career goals, ground balls, caused turnovers, and draw controls, joining legendary figures Katie Doherty, Becca Geist, Rachel Tomlinson, and Julia Golden.
 
Making a little history on the defensive side as well, Kaitlyn Ready earned the victory while picking up three saves. With that performance, she jumped to fifth among active goalies at any level of the NCAA with 534 career stops.
 
Of course, it seemed only fitting that Ready moved up the charts in a game against Virginia Wesleyan. Over the past four years, she has dominated the Marlins, boasting a pristine 4-0 record to go along with a .708 save percentage and 2.09 goals-against-average against the squad.
 
In fact, Ready became just the second goalkeeper in program history to register four career wins against a single non-conference opponent. In that exclusive club, she joined former legend Gayle Robinson, who toppled Guilford in four straight seasons from 2007-10.
 
With the victory, the Captains improve to 2-1 overall and keep their early-season hot-streak alive. Christopher Newport has now reached double-digit goals in every game this year. It marks only the fourth time in program history that the team has posted at least 10 strikes in each of its first three games, joining the 2011, 2014, and 2018 squads.
 
Right from the start, the Captains found their rhythm. Just two minutes into regulation, Wettengel skipped a low liner into the back of the net off a free-position attempt. Shortly thereafter, Winters and Krause teamed up on back-to-back goals before Gracie Sanders added her own eight-meter missile to push the lead to 4-1.
 
Continuing to torch the opposition, Zoe Dyer broke out a gorgeous behind-the-back flip to set up a dagger by Winters before Leighty unleashed a rocket on the run in the 17th minute to snatch a 6-2 edge heading into a Virginia Wesleyan timeout.
 
Following the break, Dyer burned through a pair of defenders after circling around the left post for her first goal of the game. Moments later, after a fast clear, Alexis Kasuda capitalized on a feed from Winters during an unsettled situation with 11 minutes left in the opening period.
 
Continuing her first-half heroics, Winters added her second goal after carrying three defenders through the zone before depositing along the crease. Later, she reversed field with a nice pass along the top of the arc to Jackie Baker, who quickly flipped a feed down low to Iapicca for the team's 10th goal.
 
Looking to grab a double-digit lead before halftime, Baker unloaded her first strike of the game before Katie Orrison took advantage of a pass from Dyer to snatch a 12-2 edge entering the break.
 
In the second half, Leighty made sure the Captains kept the momentum with two early daggers. First, she capitalized on an eight-meter attempt after lining a spinner just inside the left pipe. Shortly thereafter, she followed with a laser on a breakaway for her third goal of the game.
 
Continuing her solid evening, Iapicca capitalized on an errant pass by the Virginia Wesleyan goalie to steal possession before threading a pinpoint feed from the sideline, which set up a goal by Kasuda. Later, she ran a little give-and-go with Leighty on a free-position attempt for her second assist before driving home her own eight-meter dart with five minutes remaining.
 
While Iapicca was polishing off her game, Wettengel cut behind the defense for her second goal in the 47th minute, and Krause added the finishing touches with just over three minutes left to lock up the 19-3 triumph.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport out-short Virginia Wesleyan, 49-6, and held a 28-17 lead in ground balls. Leighty and Joely Stevens led the Captains with four rollers apiece, while Winters and Iapicca had three each.
 
Christopher Newport also dominated the draw as the visitors won 19 of the 25 battles. Krause matched her career-high with seven draw controls, while Wettengel had five.
 
The Captains will return to action on Saturday when the squad hosts Washington (Md.) at 2 p.m.
 
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