ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- After a 357-day layoff, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team returned to action and showed no signs of rust as the Captains erupted for a 22-1 victory over N.C. Wesleyan during a non-conference battle on a memorable Tuesday afternoon at Scalf Field.
 
Unloading on the opposition, Christopher Newport burst out to a 12-0 halftime lead before cruising to the lopsided victory. The squad's 22 goals marked the most in a season opener since 2002. Meanwhile, the margin of victory was the program's largest since a 26-1 triumph against N.C. Wesleyan on April 3, 2013.
 
Rocking the opposition with a relentless assault, 10 different Captains notched multi-goal efforts, which marked the most in a single game in school history. Gracie Sanders was the lone player to register a hat-trick, while Kelsey Winters continued tormenting the opposition in all facets of the game. The reigning Virginia State Rookie of the Year finished with seven total points after notching two goals and five assists.
 
Opening their careers with incredible results, four freshmen also found the back of the net for the Captains. Eleanor Collins, Syd Guidi, and Sloane McDonald all scored twice, while Paige Williams added one of her own. Incredibly, McDonald and Williams had not even been born the last time four freshmen scored for the Captains in a season opener. That feat last occurred on March 3, 2002 when Laura Hayes, Elaine Kirby, Natalie Musashe, Hadley Silver, and Amy Zucharo all posted goals in a win over Hollins.
 
Rounding out the multi-goal scorers for the Captains, Zoe Dyer and Cat Leighty both contributed five points apiece, while Kendall Krause, Hope Hunter, and Sam Wettengel all had two goals. Wettengel also snatched a game-high eight draw controls, and Collins added five.
 
Along with the squad's offensive efforts, Christopher Newport blanketed the field on the defensive side of the ball. The team produced six takeaways, including two apiece by Collins and Krause. Meanwhile, sophomore goalie Taylor Schoolar stoned a free-position attempt in the first half on the way to her first collegiate victory. Overall, the Captains held the Battling Bishops scoreless for the first 47 minutes, marking the longest stretch to start a game since a 60-minute shutout against Southern Virginia on April 16, 2014.
 
Getting off on the right foot, Christopher Newport stormed out of the gate. Leighty kicked things off with an eight-meter dagger before Schoolar slammed the door on N.C. Wesleyan's own free-position attempt just a few moments later. After her highlight-reel save, the keeper launched a one-bounce heave to Hunter at midfield. Grabbing possession, the sophomore took care of the rest as she cut around a defender before cruising the final 40 yards on the way to her first tally.
 
Remaining hot, the offense continued picking apart the NCW defense. Leighty shook her defender in a one-on-one situation before depositing her second goal. Moments later, Winters circled around the crease on the way to her first strike before Sanders joined the party with a free-position rocket.
 
Already holding a five-goal lead, Dyer quickly stretched the advantage to seven with back-to-back strikes, including a beautiful run in front of the crease that saw her scoot past two defenders before connecting along the right post. Less than three minutes later, Sanders chipped in with her second goal before the squad's first-year phenoms took over during the latter portion of the first half.
 
Collins kicked off the late surge by slicing through a pair of Bishops while capitalizing on a feed from Winters for her first collegiate goal. Seconds later, Guidi followed with her first tally on an eight-meter attempt before McDonald put on a show.
 
Electric on both sides of the ball, McDonald broke up a clear attempt after riding a midfielder out of bounds with relentless pressure along the left sideline. After Sanders capitalized on the extra possession with her third goal, McDonald came back to showcase her own finishing skills. Polishing off the first half, she uncorked a dart from the doorstep to steal a 12-0 lead entering the break.
 
Starting the second half in style, Wettengel landed her first goal after slipping past a defender on the inside for the squad's 13th tally. Later, Guidi flashed her skill set after circling the defense on the way to her second goal before adding an assist on a bullet by McDonald.   
 
The Captains continued stretching their advantage in the middle of the second half as Hunter caught a feed in traffic and found just enough breathing room to snap off a pointblank dagger before Winters fired one from the eight-meter arc. Although the Battling Bishops were finally able to crack the scoreboard in the 48th minute, Christopher Newport never lost its rhythm.
 
Responding to the host's first strike, Wettengel burst through the heart of the defense and converted from close range. Shortly thereafter, Williams added her first goal after curling around the left side of the crease before burying one inside the pipe.
 
Already nursing a 19-1 lead, the Captains eased into the victory over the final few minutes. First, Krause kicked things off with a fancy goal. Rolling from right to left with a defender on her back, she quickly hit the brakes, reversed course, and drained the squad's 20th strike. Minutes later, Dyer dropped a dime to Collins, who beat her defender with a nice sprint on the inside leading to her final goal.
 
With little left to prove, Krause and Dyer put the final punctuation mark on the win. In the waning moments, Dyer won the final draw, burst up the field, and connected with Krause, who hammered home the final nail to seal the 22-1 victory.
 
Starring in all facets of the game, Krause finished the contest with two points, two takeaways, and three ground balls. Hunter and Lex McGrail also scooped up three rollers apiece, while Dyer and Emma Jackson had two each.
 
Eventually, Christopher Newport finished the game with a 17-9 advantage in ground balls and a 19-4 edge in draws. The visitors also out-shot N.C. Wesleyan, 36-2, and converted four of their five free-position attempts.
 
Returning to action on Saturday, the Captains will remain on the road this weekend when the team travels to Roanoke for a 1 p.m. tilt at Donald J. Kerr Stadium.
 
---AGS---