Live Stats // Video Stream
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The 24th-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team will kick off the 2022 campaign on Friday at 5 p.m. when the Captains travel to Birdsong Field for a non-conference test against Virginia Wesleyan.
While the Captains will be making their season debut, the Marlins enter the contest at 1-0 after defeating Methodist, 13-10, on Sunday.
For those fans unable to attend the game, live stats and a video stream will be available at VWUAthletics.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.
Christopher Newport is coming off a 2021 season in which the Captains registered an 11-7 record while advancing to the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championship for the first time in program history. Along the way, the team was a staple in the IWLCA National Coaches Poll and climbed as high as 20th in the nation.
The program welcomes back an impressive contingent from last year's roster, including All-American
Kelsey Winters. The third-year star finished ninth in the NCAA last year with 47 assists. That total also marked the second-highest in school history. Entering her junior campaign, she already ranks 10th in program lore with 70 career assists.
Along with Winters,
Kendall Krause is back after securing All-Region accolades last year while ranking among the league-leaders with 34 ground balls, 29 goals, and 18 takeaways. Meanwhile,
Emma Jackson and
Joely Stevens form the backbone of an award-winning defensive unit after both veterans hauled in second-team All-Conference plaudits in 2021.
Overall, Christopher Newport brings back eight starters from last year's team, including
Zoe Dyer, who ranked second on the squad with 45 goals. Additionally,
Eleanor Collins led all freshmen in the league with 35 draw controls last season,
Julia Iapicca deposited 25 tallies, and
Hope Hunter added 15 takeaways and 21 ground balls from her perch on the midfield unit.
On the other side of the field, Virginia Wesleyan kicked off its year with a 13-10 win over Methodist. During the victory, Helen Kennedy-Butler registered seven points, including four goals, while Natalie Dunn and Mikayla Szudera added two strikes apiece. Meanwhile, Michaela Elston controlled seven draws, and Brittneyann Hoover notched seven saves to earn the victory.
In 21 previous battles, the Captains hold a 14-7 edge in the series. Last year, Christopher Newport registered a 23-1 victory at Jennings Family Stadium. Winters led the way with 11 points, including six assists, while Iapicca added four goals.
Syd Guidi also notched a hat-trick during the win over the Marlins.
Following Friday's tilt, Christopher Newport will return to action on February 26 when the squad kicks off a four-game homestand with a 1 p.m. showdown against Moravian.
---ISH---
