NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Piecing together one of the greatest comebacks in school history, the 21st-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team overcame a four-goal halftime deficit with a breathtaking performance over the final 30 minutes as the Captains stormed past No. 19 Mary Washington, 12-8, during a Coast-to-Coast Conference thrill ride on a sun-soaked Saturday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.
 
On Senior Day, Cat Leighty celebrated in style as the fourth-year phenom posted six points in the second half to help lead a relentless offensive assault. Meanwhile, fellow senior Gracie Sanders was a dominant force on the defensive end while coming through with five takeaways, including four momentum-turning plays late in regulation.
 
Fittingly, both seniors added their names to the record books with their work against the Eagles. Leighty deposited three goals from the eight-meter arc, equaling the fourth-highest single-game total in program history. Meanwhile, Sanders' five caused turnovers matched the eighth-most by a Captain and the second-highest total against a nationally-ranked foe.
 
Joining her fellow seniors with a highlight-reel effort on Saturday, fourth-year goalie Jessica Ross was thrust into action in the second half after the Captains were hit with a card. Stepping up, she made a clutch save to help flip momentum, which carried Christopher Newport to the victory.
 
Along with the veterans, Julia Iapicca came through with two goals, including the go-ahead dagger with seven minutes left in regulation. Sanders and Zoe Dyer also had two strikes apiece, while Kelsey Winters contributed a unique hat-trick. During the game, the second-year standout came through with a man-up tally, a man-down dart, and an even-strength goal. With that well-rounded showcase, she joined Christopher Newport Hall of Famers Ashton Marshall and Kaitlin Quigley as the only players to register all three types in a single game.
 
Adding another layer to Saturday's victory, the win was Christopher Newport's third against a nationally-ranked opponent after the squad previously upended No. 20 St. Mary's (Md.) and No. 23 Lynchburg. The 2021 Captains now have more wins over top-25 foes than every other team in program history combined. Prior to this season, Christopher Newport had a total of two triumphs over nationally-ranked competition.
 
Overall, the Captains now stand at 8-5 on the year, including 3-3 in conference action. The setback drops Mary Washington to 4-4 with a 2-2 mark against league opponents.
 
After the Eagles controlled most of the first half while slipping out to a 5-0 lead, the Captains began chipping away. Unfazed by the deficit, Becca Creekmore posted four straight saves late in the opening period to quiet the opposition. Meanwhile, on the other end, Winters earned a free-position attempt in the waning moments of the half. Taking advantage, she skipped a shot inside the left pipe to put the hosts on the board.
 
Following the break, Christopher Newport came out re-energized. Despite playing shorthanded after the squad was hit with a card, Winters came back for her second goal less than a minute into the second stanza. Showing her athleticism, she needed every inch of her reach to make an out-stretched snag in traffic. After grabbing the pass, she quickly slammed home another bullet to cut the deficit down to three.
 
Although Mary Washington was able to respond with a free-position tally, Christopher Newport dug in on the defensive side. Making her presence felt, Ross subbed into the game and made a huge save to keep the visitors in check. Shortly thereafter, when the Eagles returned to the zone, Sanders regained control after snapping the ball away from an attacker with a terrific stick check.
 
After grabbing the roller, the senior burst up the field. Running a little give-and-go with Leighty, she gave up possession, cleared the face of a defender, and snatched the return feed before capitalizing on the run.
 
Although Mary Washington responded again to regain a four-goal lead midway through the period, the Captains clapped back. First, Creekmore slammed the door on a free-position attempt before Sanders stripped another attacker. After the visitors were slapped with a card, Leighty made them pay from the eight-meter arc as the hosts pulled back within three.
 
Needing to make haste, Christopher Newport picked up the pace. On the ensuing draw, Emma Jackson gained possession after brushing off a hit near midfield. Just over a minute later, Leighty hustled to the sideline to save a pass from slipping out of bounds. With new life, she sailed a pass into the center of the UMW defense. Although the ball was deflected, Sanders kept her wits, snagged the feed, and dunked on the doorstep to inch within two at 7-5.
 
Continuing the comeback, Leighty lined a laser from the right side following another free-position attempt with 13 minutes remaining.
 
Although the Eagles added their eighth goal less than a minute later, Christopher Newport was undeterred. Iapicca landed another eight-meter rocket before Winters evened the score at eight. Stalking the defense, the sophomore finally found a one-on-one situation on the left side of the zone. Taking advantage, she dipped under the shoulder of her defender and cashed in before a second Eagle could slide over for a double-team.
 
Back on even ground for the first time since the opening minute of regulation, the Captains quickly broke the deadlock. Showing hustle all over the field, Leighty and Sanders both won battles for loose balls, while Lindsay Connell saved a roller from slipping out of bounds behind the cage. Finally, with the shot clock running down, Dyer handed a feed to Iapicca, who capitalized in the middle of a crowd for the go-ahead goal.
 
Staring at a deficit for the first time all day, Mary Washington attempted to respond but ran headfirst into Sanders. During a two-minute masterpiece, the senior stepped up on the defensive end with a pair of takeaways to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard.
 
With the clock becoming a friend, Winters found Dyer along the left post for the team's 10th goal with just over two minutes left in regulation. Then, in the final minute, Leighty took another crow hop and blasted her third free-position rocket of the game to stretch the edge to three at 11-8.
 
With little left to prove, Iapicca controlled the next draw and went to work on the clock. Carving up the defense with crisp passing all over the zone, Iapicca dished to Kendall Krause, who found Leighty. Changing directions, Leighty connected with Sanders, who handed the ball back to Krause.
 
With seven seconds left on the clock, Krause found a lane and slipped a pass down low to Dyer, who converted on the interior for the game's final nail.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport held a 29-23 advantage in shots and a 14-13 lead in ground balls. Meanwhile, the teams split the draws, 11-11. Iapicca led the Captains with five draw controls, while Creekmore had four ground balls to go along with 10 saves. Joely Stevens and Riley Rafterry-Lee also did tremendous work on the back line to quiet Mary Washington during the comeback bid, while Hope Hunter and Sloane McDonald combined for three ground balls as well.

Adding one last note to Saturday's historic performance, the squad's five-goal deficit late in the first half marked the second-largest overcome in program history, trailing only a six-goal hole that the team dug out of against Meredith on March 10, 2018.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday when the team hosts No. 4 Salisbury at 7 p.m.
 
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