WINCHESTER, Va. -- Capitalizing on solid defensive work and a last-minute goal by Zoe Dyer, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback that forced overtime, but the Captains eventually fell to Shenandoah, 7-6, during a marathon battle on Wednesday evening at Shentel Stadium.

Trailing twice in the fourth quarter, Christopher Newport continued to battle until the bitter end while securing a pair of late goals by Dyer and Syd Guidi. Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, Lizzie Burgoyne came through with a career-high 12 saves, while the defense combined for 10 caused turnovers, including a crucial strip by Guidi to kickstart the last-minute possession at the end of regulation.

Along with Guidi, Madi Rozgonyi, Kendall Krause, and Blake Hopkins all added two takeaways apiece. Additionally, Emma Jackson added one to go along with a team-high five draw controls.

With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 3-3 on the season. The victory bumps Shenandoah to 4-2.

Entering the fourth quarter trailing by one, the Captains quickly knotted the game at five following a free-position rocket by Guidi. Although the hosts eventually regained the lead with five minutes left in regulation, Christopher Newport stepped up on both ends of the field.

Clamping down on a lengthy rally by Shenandoah, Jackson badgered an attacker around the zone before Rozgonyi came over to add additional pressure. Unable to generate any space, the Hornet attempted to hand possession over to a teammate, but Rozgonyi was able to deflect the pass before Krause snatched the loose ball and jump-started a successful clear.

Although the hosts managed to hold up against Christopher Newport's initial push, they could not clear the zone. Along the right sideline, Guidi snuck into the passing lane between a pair of Hornets. Eventually, the second-year star disrupted the feed and grabbed the ball before the attack went back to work.

With renewed life, the Captains took advantage of the extra possession. In the final minute, Lindsay Connell took control near the top of the zone before pushing inside. As four defenders shifted their focus to Connell, Dyer slipped free down low. Moments later, the senior grabbed a pass and faked a shot before unloading a sidewinder around the keeper for the equalizer, which forced overtime.

Unfortunately, Shenandoah had an answer. In the extra session, the Hornets secured the opening draw and eventually converted in the 62nd minute to steal the 7-6 victory.

Overall, Shenandoah held a 33-18 advantage in shots and a 21-17 lead in ground balls. Meanwhile, the two teams split the draws, 8-8.

In the early part of the game, the Hornets were able to light up the scoreboard in the first minute of action before Christopher Newport battled back. On the defensive side, Burgoyne made four early saves, while Riley Rafterry-Lee bottled up another shot along the crease to help stem the tide. Then, on the other side of the field, Alexis Kasuda snagged a feed from Dyer and came storming around the left pipe before beating the keeper with a low liner on the doorstep to knot the score at one.

Trading blows, Shenandoah regained its lead just two minutes later before Kelsey Winters polished off the first quarter with a screamer off an eight-meter attempt to tie the game at two.

With some momentum, Christopher Newport secured its first advantage of the game early in the second period. After Eleanor Collins controlled the opening draw, Dyer and Krause teamed up for a gorgeous goal. On the play, Dyer rolled over the top of the zone and gained the attention of one defender before pushing inside, which drew the eyes of a second Hornet. With the defense focused on Dyer, Krause rolled towards the cage, snared a pass from her teammate, and rifled a blast over the head of the keeper, which gave the visitors a 3-2 lead.

Although Shenandoah responded with its third goal midway through the period, Christopher Newport's defense clamped down during a lengthy push by the Hornets. Burgoyne made a nice save on the doorstep before Rafterry-Lee broke up a pass on the interior. On the next series, Hopkins rode an attacker around the zone before dropping her along the crease.

Shortly thereafter, the Hornets came back again, but Rozgonyi and Jackson double-teamed an attacker while pushing her around the zone. Looking to punctuate the defensive stand, Krause came storming in and unleashed a trail-check to grab possession and hand the ball back to the attack.

Looking to regain the lead, Christopher Newport capitalized in the final minute of the first half. With Winters running point at the top of the zone, she eventually connected with Connell. Staring at a clear lane towards the cage, the junior burned inside and buried a dagger into the back of the net, which handed the Captains a 4-3 lead entering halftime.

Sadly, Shenandoah battled back in the second half. The hosts managed to score twice in the third quarter to regain a 5-4 edge. Although late heroics by Dyer and Guidi gave the Captains a new life in the fourth period, the Hornets hung on in overtime to pull out the win.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the team heads to Lexington for a 1 p.m. test at No. 4 Washington & Lee.

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