2021 Spring Sports Spectator Policy
Live Stats // Video Stream

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- For the sixth time in seven games, the 21st-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team will square off against a nationally-ranked foe as the Captains host No. 19 Mary Washington in a Coast-to-Coast Conference contest beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Jennings Family Stadium.

In addition to being a top-25 showdown, Saturday's contest will also serve as Christopher Newport's annual Senior Day celebration. Prior to the game, the Captains will honor the four graduating members of the 2021 class.

Entering the week, Christopher Newport stands at 7-5 on the season, including 2-3 in league play. Meanwhile, Mary Washington is 4-3 overall and 2-1 against conference competition.

Adhering to the campus COVID-19 guidelines, access to Saturday's game will be limited to two designated family members of each player and coach on Christopher Newport's roster along with a select number of students and staff from the university. Opposing fans and other interested parties will not be permitted to attend the contest. For specific details on the spectator guidelines, please read the athletic department's 2021 spring sports policy, which is available at the top of this release.

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

Prior to Saturday's game, the Captains will celebrate the career achievements of seniors Cat Leighty, Jessica Ross, Gracie Sanders, and Sam Wettengel. Fellow senior Joely Stevens will be returning to the program next season while utilizing the extra year of eligibility that was granted by the NCAA as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the course of their careers, the seniors have helped elevate the program both individually and as a collective group. Together, they helped bring Christopher Newport back into the national spotlight while earning a top-25 ranking for the first time since 2016. Along the way, the 2021 Captains have defeated a pair of nationally-ranked opponents, which doubled the entire total of top-25 wins in program history.

On an individual level, Wettengel is an All-Conference midfielder who set a school record with 42 takeaways during her junior campaign. Meanwhile, Leighty ranks in the top-10 all-time in both assists and free-position goals, while Sanders is a three-year team captain who sits in the top-20 in draw controls and caused turnovers. Between the pipes, Ross has compiled a 4.96 goals-against-average during her career, which places her second in school history among players with at least 10 appearances.

So far this season, Leighty ranks first in the league with 33 goals, and Wettengel boasts a conference-high 22 takeaways. Additionally, Sanders is in the top-10 in ground balls, draw controls, and caused turnovers, while Ross has a remarkable 3.66 goals-against-average to go along with a .500 save percentage.

On the other side of the field, Mary Washington enters the weekend riding a four-game winning streak, including a 9-8 overtime triumph against No. 22 St. Mary's (Md.) on Wednesday. During that marathon,  Samantha Stachowiak led the Eagles with four goals, including the game-winner in the 69th minute. Katie Blair also contributed a hat-trick, while Reilly Miller made 11 saves.

Overall this season, Miller ranks second in the conference with a .489 save percentage while also sporting a 9.46 goals-against-average. On the offensive side, Blair and Kayla Sarazin both have 17 goals, while Kennedy King has deposited 15 strikes. Meanwhile, Rylie Cole leads the team with 38 draw controls and 23 ground balls.

In 18 previous meetings between the two programs, Mary Washington holds a 17-1 edge in the series, including an 18-12 victory in March. During that game, Leighty had five goals for the Captains, while Blair, King, and Sarazin had five apiece for the Eagles.

After Saturday's tilt, Christopher Newport will remain at home for a 7 p.m. match-up with No. 4 Salisbury on Wednesday.

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