NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Kelsey Winters joined exclusive company with an 11-point showcase, while Julia Iapicca added a career-high four goals as the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team rolled past Virginia Wesleyan, 23-1, on a warm Wednesday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.
 
Flashing her skill set on the offensive side of the ball, Winters finished the contest with five goals and six assists. With that performance, she became just the fourth player in program history to register at least five goals and five assists in a single game, joining a legendary collection of decorated standouts featuring two-time All-American Meaghan Galvin and Christopher Newport Hall of Famers Ashton Marshall and Meghan Harkey.
 
Overall, Winters' 11 points equaled the third-highest single-game total in program history, falling one shy of matching the record held by Marshall and Harkey.
 
In addition to Winters' work, Iapicca contributed a career-high four goals, and Syd Guidi notched her first collegiate hat-trick. Meanwhile, Cat Leighty also scored three times for the hosts, while Zoe Dyer and Kendall Krause had two strikes apiece.
 
Guided by their well-balanced attack, the Captains registered their largest margin of victory since a 26-1 triumph over N.C. Wesleyan on April 3, 2013.
 
With the win, Christopher Newport improves to 2-1 on the season. The setback drops Virginia Wesleyan to 0-4.
 
Setting the tone right out of the gate, the hosts stormed out to a 5-0 lead less than five minutes into regulation. Fittingly, Winters led the early onslaught as the sophomore converted a pair of goals while also assisting on daggers by Iapicca and Sloane McDonald. Meanwhile, Sam Wettengel also joined the fun with a laser of her own to help secure the quick advantage.
 
Although Virginia Wesleyan finally cracked the scoreboard to chip its deficit back down to four, Christopher Newport went right back to work. Over the next seven minutes, Dyer, Iapicca, and Guidi all scored twice to snatch a double-digit lead at 11-1.
 
With a running clock less than 13 minutes into regulation, the hosts settled in for a little more action on the offensive side of the ball. Leighty came through with her first goal after snapping off a sidewinder before Winters added a rocket on the run. Later, the defense also put on a nice showcase as Leighty had a gorgeous ride and rip along the sideline to force a turnover on a failed clear, while Becca Creekmore gobbled up a free-position attempt with a terrific save with six minutes left in the half.
 
As time ticked down in the opening period, Lindsay Connell added one more tally as she dipped underneath a defender before splitting two other Marlins with a bullet on the interior to grab a 14-1 advantage entering halftime.
 
In the second stanza, the Captains continued to shine on both sides of the ball. First, Leighty kicked off the scoring less than two minutes into the new period, while Iapicca slammed the door on Virginia Wesleyan's response with a great strip on the inside before clearing the zone.
 
Following the defensive stand, the offense found its rhythm again. Krause drove home back-to-back goals before Winters added a highlight-reel strike in the 38th minute. On the play, the sophomore found herself isolated one-on-one with a Marlin behind the crease. Pushing up along the right post, she took her defender for a ride before slamming on the brakes and unleashing a spin move that sent her foe tumbling to the turf. With only the keeper left in her way, Winters broke out a nice hesitation move that shook the goalie and freed up some space for a one-timer from close range.
 
After the squad's 18th goal, Krause and Logan Quinn both added takeaways during a lengthy defensive stand before Leighty went back to work on the offensive side with a free-position tally.
 
With little left to prove, Winters capped off her historic evening with a sensational run over the final 10 minutes. She assisted on three straight goals by Iapicca, Guidi, and Eleanor Collins before adding the last nail by herself. Earning an eight-meter attempt with two minutes left in regulation, she pushed inside from the center hash before unloading the final screamer, which capped off the 23-1 victory.
 
During the contest, Christopher Newport out-shot Virginia Wesleyan, 43-5. The Captains also held a 23-5 advantage in ground balls and won 18 of the game's 26 draws. Collins was especially effective in the center of the field with eight draw controls. Krause also added four, while Hope Hunter collected a pair to go along with four takeaways. Leighty and Iapicca forced three turnovers apiece as well.
 
Coupled with their 22-goal showing in the opener against N.C. Wesleyan and their 10 strikes last week at Roanoke, the Captains have now scored 55 times this season. That stands as the highest output in the program's first three games since a 62-goal eruption to open the 2011 campaign.
 
Christopher Newport will look to keep its high-powered attack going on Saturday when the Captains host No. 4 Washington & Lee at 3 p.m.
 
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