NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- One week after piecing together one of the finest comebacks in program history, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team attempted to erase another fourth-quarter deficit but came up short in the end as the Captains dropped a 13-9 decision to Shenandoah on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

After erasing a five-goal deficit against No. 24 Haverford last week, the Captains faced a 9-5 hole entering the final 15 minutes on Saturday. Although the hosts posted four goals in the fourth quarter, including a pair of tallies by Syd Guidi, Shenandoah was able to find an answer and hang on for the win.

Guidi eventually finished the contest with three goals, while Kelsey Winters chipped in with five points, including three assists. Meanwhile, on the defensive end, Maddie Rusinko came through with four takeaways, while Riley Rafterry-Lee and Celia Kelaher picked up two apiece.

With the setback, Christopher Newport fell to 2-2 on the season, while the victory bumped Shenandoah to 3-1.

Although the visitors were able to slip out to an early 2-0 lead on Saturday, the Captains stepped up on the defensive side. Kelaher had a key interception to thwart an early surge by the Hornets, while Emma Jackson pounced on a roller during a failed clear, which cut down another rally. Later, Julia Iapicca had a takeaway on the interior in the final minute of the first quarter, which kicked off a brilliant rally.

Storming the other way, the Captains had little time to work. Kelaher and Guidi joined forces on a successful clear up the right sideline. Eventually, Guidi regained possession and dodged to her left to free up some space among a pair of defenders. Just before the horn sounded, she unleashed a tracer while shrugging off a tough hit by a Hornet to put the hosts on the board.

In the second period, the defense continued to keep a lid on Shenandoah. Rafterry-Lee punched a pass away along the crease before Kelaher jumped on the loose ball. Later, Madi Rozgonyi stripped an attacker on the left side of the zone, while Rusinko won a race for a loose ball to flip possession again later in the period.

Unfortunately, the Hornets continued to attack and managed to stretch their lead to 5-1. Following a timeout, Christopher Newport retaliated in the final two minutes of the first half.

Kicking things off, Winters pushed around the left pipe and slipped a feed through three defenders. On the receiving end, Sloane McDonald caught the pass and punched home a dagger on the doorstep while shrugging off a late hit by the visitors.

Following the post-goal foul, Christopher Newport quickly regained possession. Looking to pull closer, Winters lofted a rainbow over the defense. That pass eventually sailed right over McDonald's out-stretched stick and landed in the hands of Paige Williams. With the defense trying to catch up to the play, the third-year star banged home a laser, which pulled the hosts back within two at 5-3.

After halftime, Kendall Krause forced an errant pass on Shenandoah's initial rally before Rusinko battled through a crowd to grab control. Later, Kelaher tied up a cutter who attempted to slip through the defense to force another turnover.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, Winters cut SU's lead down to one after slamming a free-position bullet into the top left corner of the cage. Although the visitors responded, Winters came back again. This time, the senior All-American showed tremendous composure behind the crease as the shot clock ticked down. Just before the horn, she flipped a feed over the cage to Iapicca, who landed a dart on the doorstep.

With their advantage back down to one, the Hornets retaliated. In the final four minutes of the third stanza, Shenandoah slapped three goals on the board to regain a 9-5 edge entering the final period.

Needing some late-game magic, the attack found its groove. Just 30 seconds into the period, Guidi went top-shelf with an eight-meter blast. Later, after Hope Hunter controlled the ensuing draw, she added her own free-position goal to inch back within two at 9-7.

Unfortunately, that was as close as the hosts would come. Winters kept the deficit at two after winning a one-on-one battle along the left pipe with 12 minutes left. Later, McDonald found Guidi with a quick flip in the waning moments of regulation on the way to the squad's ninth tally, but Shenandoah continued to have an answer. Although Rusinko forced a pair of turnovers in the final two minutes, including a great stick-lift along the crease, the Hornets were able to stretch their lead before polishing off the 13-9 triumph.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 28-22 advantage in shots, while both squads collected 14 ground balls. The two teams also split the game's 24 draws with Iapicca, Jackson, and Brookelyn Morrison all collecting three apiece.

The Captains will return to action on March 11 when the team continues its homestand with a 3 p.m. showdown against No. 12 York (Pa.).

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