NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Kendall Krause scored a pair of goals, including her 100th career point, but the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team dropped another hard-fought 11-8 decision to No. 14 Messiah on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

During the game, Krause drove home a pair of second-half strikes while helping the Captains keep pace with the nationally-ranked Falcons. Her first tally marked her 100th career point, making her just the 24th player in program history to reach that benchmark.

Along with Krause, Syd Guidi posted a hat-trick, including the game's first two goals as Christopher Newport vaulted out to an early advantage. Meanwhile, Kelsey Winters continued serving as the squad's chief facilitator with four assists.

On the defensive side, Riley Rafterry-Lee forced four turnovers, while Madi Rozgonyi, Julia Iapicca, and Celia Kelaher added two takeaways apiece. Hadley Chadwick also had a caused turnover to go along with seven saves in the crease.

With the setback, Christopher Newport dropped to 2-5 on the season, while the victory bumped Messiah to 5-1.

Facing their third straight top-20 foe, the Captains got off to a fast start behind a pair of goals from Guidi, including an eight-meter missile just 90 seconds into regulation. Later, after Messiah responded, the defense stepped up with a solid run in the middle of the period.

Chadwick made a huge save on a free-position attempt before Maddie Rusinko ripped possession away from an attacker with a check in the left corner. Shortly thereafter, Raferry-Lee pieced together an outstanding ride along the crease to prevent a shot before forcing her first turnover midway through the quarter.

Unfortunately, Messiah continued to pressure Christopher Newport's back line before stealing a 4-2 edge at the end of the opening frame.

In the second stanza, the Captains fired back. After Eleanor Collins controlled the opening draw, Guidi took advantage of the possession with her third dagger of the game. Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, Hope Hunter knocked down a pass in the center of the zone to thwart an early surge by the visitors. Later, Iapicca cut off a clear attempt in the middle of the period before Chadwick gobbled up an errant pass that skipped into the crease.

Although Messiah was eventually able to find another opening, the Falcons only carried a modest two-goal lead into halftime.

Following the same script from the first two quarters, Christopher Newport landed the opening blow in the third stanza after Winters connected with Krause, who used a nice spin move to shake a defender on the way to her 100th career point.

Holding a 5-4 advantage, Messiah quickly tossed three straight goals on the board to secure a little wiggle room. Unfazed by the turn in momentum, Christopher Newport's defense settled in again. This time, Kelaher stripped an attacker on the left side of the crease before Iapicca added another interception on a failed clear.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Winters found Brookelyn Morrison screaming through the center of the Messiah defense. After securing the feed, the freshman phenom unloaded a one-timer on the run, which pulled the hosts back within three at 8-5.

Following another strike by the Falcons, Christopher Newport made another push at the start of the fourth quarter. Clamping down on Messiah's initial surge, Chadwick went to her knees to stone a low liner along the right pipe. After a successful clear, Krause went straight up the gut for her second tally of the game, which brought the deficit back down to three.

Trying to orchestrate a comeback, the defense did all it could to put a lid on the Falcons. Headlining the late-game efforts, Rafterry-Lee was simply sensational. Early in the final stanza, she bolted into a passing lane and bottled up a play before forcing a turnover. Then, while playing shorthanded after the Captains were hit with a card, she came through with a clutch interception to kill off the penalty.

Equally effective on the defensive end, Chadwick came back with her seventh save, while Rozgonyi punched the ball away from an attacker before Emma Jackson secured the loose ball.

Although Messiah was able to stretch its lead to 11-6 with three minutes left in regulation, Christopher Newport fought until the very end. Hunter and Maelyn Eversole both deposited goals in the final few minutes, while Morrison and Rafterry-Lee added takeaways. Sadly, there was simply not enough time left to complete the rally as the Falcons secured the 11-8 win.

During the contest, Messiah held a 22-21 advantage in shots and an 18-15 lead in ground balls. The Falcons also controlled 12 of the game's 22 draws. For the Captains, Hunter finished with a team-high three ground balls, while Morrison, Collins, Iapicca, and Maddie Tomaszewski all had a pair of draw controls.

Christopher Newport will return to action on March 26 when the squad hosts Denison at noon.

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