NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 22nd-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team saw its three-game winning streak come to an end on a chilly Wednesday evening as the Captains dropped a 13-9 decision to Haverford at Jennings Family Stadium.

After the Captains secured a 4-3 edge early in the second period, Haverford responded with a back-breaking rally. The visitors eventually tossed seven straight goals on the board as the Fords snatched a commanding lead and never looked back.

Kelsey Winters led Christopher Newport with six points, including four assists. Kendall Krause and Syd Guidi also added two daggers apiece. Meanwhile, Emma Jackson chipped in with seven draw controls and five ground balls, while Izzy Shefrin registered a career-high 10 saves during her time between the pipes.

With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 3-1 on the season. The victory bumps Haverford to 3-0.

After Haverford slipped out to an early lead less than a minute into regulation, the Captains fired back on both ends of the field. First, Winters knotted the game with an eight-meter missile. Moments later, Maddie Rusinko put an end to Haverford's response with a takeaway along the interior, which gave the ball back to the attack. 

Capitalizing on the offensive side, the hosts showed patience while using every second of the shot clock. Eventually, with time winding down, Winters dished across the zone to Krause, who quickly capitalized and gave Christopher Newport a 2-1 lead.

Fostering a one-goal advantage, Shefrin orchestrated a remarkable run in the crease. Kicking things off, the freshman stoned a free-position attempt to quiet a lengthy surge by the visitors. Minutes later, she added back-to-back saves, including a pointblank beauty along the left pipe, which kept Haverford off the scoreboard.

Unfortunately, the Fords continued to attack and eventually broke through again with two straight goals to grab a 3-2 lead in the final minute of the opening period.

Looking for an answer, Jackson controlled the ensuing draw and handed the ball back to the attack. Less than 30 seconds later, the Captains landed the equalizer as Winters found Sloane McDonald cutting towards the cage for the squad's third goal.

In the second period, Christopher Newport kept the momentum. Shefrin made a sensational save on the doorstep before Jackson pounced on the ground ball and jump-started a successful clear. Taking advantage on the other side, Winters dished the ball to Alexis Kasuda, who deposited the go-ahead goal, which gave the hosts a 4-3 lead.

Sadly, Haverford fired back. Although Krause caused a pair of turnovers and Joely Stevens added a takeaway of her own, the Fords were relentless on the offensive end. Eventually, the visitors scored four straight goals at the end of the second quarter before adding three more after halftime.

Staring at a 10-4 deficit, the Captains showed heart and never relented. Krause kicked off the third-quarter resurgence with a dart off a feed from Winters. Later, Guidi added a pair of daggers, including a slick run that saw her push inside while circling around three defenders before converting along the right post.

Continuing to inch closer in the fourth frame, Winters took a defender for a ride along the left side of the crease before tucking a bullet inside the pipe, which pulled the hosts back within three at 11-8.

Unfortunately, Haverford had an answer. The squad tossed back-to-back goals on the scoreboard during the middle of the period, which helped the visitors secure a 13-8 lead. Still battling, the Captains forced four turnovers towards the end of regulation, including a takeaway by Blake Hopkins that set up a blast by Lindsay Connell. Despite the late push, time ran out on the comeback as the Fords eventually polished off the 13-9 win.

During the game, Christopher Newport held a 28-26 advantage in shots and a slim 13-12 lead in draws.

The Captains will return to action on Saturday when the team hosts Lebanon Valley at noon.

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