Live Stats // Video Stream

GRANTHAM, Pa. -- The Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team will return to action with another nationally-ranked test on Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Captains square off with No. 24 Messiah in a non-conference showdown at the MC Lacrosse Turf Field.

Entering the weekend, Christopher Newport currently sits at 2-3, including 1-2 on the road. Messiah is 2-2 overall and 2-1 at home.

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

Saturday's battle will mark Christopher Newport's second consecutive match-up with a nationally-ranked foe after dropping a 16-5 decision to No. 6 Washington & Lee on Wednesday. During that game, Becca Creekmore led the Captains with 10 saves and seven ground balls. Her seven rollers equaled the most by a Captain since 2009 and marked the second-highest total by a freshman, falling just one shy of matching Sally Allstadt's record of eight set against Averett on March 29, 2003.

On the offensive side of the ball, Kelsey Winters notched three points, including a pair of goals. Meanwhile, her assist on Wednesday was her 20th of the year. That marks the highest total by any Captain in the first five games of a season. Christopher Newport Hall of Famer Meghan Harkey had the previous record of 18 helpers in the first five contests of the 2011 campaign.

Overall this season, Winters currently leads the CAC with 20 assists, while her 26 points place her second among conference competitors. Additionally, Zoe Dyer is tied for fourth in the league with 14 goals after depositing at least one in each of the team's first five games. 

Messiah is coming off of a 19-9 setback against fourth-ranked Franklin & Marshall on Wednesday. That marked the third nationally-ranked showdown of the season for the Falcons after the squad previously dropped a 19-5 decision against then-No. 4 Gettysburg to open the year before upending No. 20 Scranton, 14-11, on February 22.

The Falcons have received huge contributions this season from Hope Flack, who currently ranks 16th in the nation with an average of eight draw controls per game. She is also tied with Amanda Wadsworth and Grace Gormley for the team-lead with seven goals. Meanwhile, between the pipes, Heather Burnham has a .429 save percentage and a 15.00 goals-against-average. She has at least 10 saves in each of her last three appearances, including a 13-stop showcase in the win over No. 20 Scranton.

Saturday's meeting will mark the second all-time match-up between the two programs after Christopher Newport toppled Messiah, 16-6, last year. During that contest, Cat Leighty led the Captains with eight points, including four goals. The defense also smothered the Falcons while forcing 17 turnovers, including five by Sam Wettengel and four by Riley Rafterry-Lee.

After this weekend, Christopher Newport will open up a three-game homestand with a 3 p.m. tilt against Coast Guard on Tuesday.

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