NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Boasting a five-goal advantage midway through the fourth quarter, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team survived a late comeback attempt by Rowan while holding on for a thrilling 15-13 victory on a windy Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

After the Profs cut Christopher Newport's lead down to one with less than a minute remaining in regulation, Syd Guidi controlled the ensuing draw and helped cut crucial time off the clock before Madi Rozgonyi added the final nail with seven seconds left on the scoreboard to lock up the triumph.

Guidi finished the contest with a team-high seven draws to go along with a hat-trick. Brookelyn Morrison was equally impressive as the first-year phenom contributed five draw controls, three assists, and a pair of goals. With that performance, she became the first freshman to register at least five points and five draws in a game since former legend Cat Leighty accomplished the feat at Frostburg State on March 25, 2018.

Kelsey Winters also notched her second straight hat-trick, including the 250th point of her career. She became just the sixth Captain in program history to reach that milestone.

Along with the offensive standouts, Rozgonyi, Julia Iapicca, Hope Hunter, and Maddie Rusinko all forced two turnovers, while Hadley Chadwick collected seven saves.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 5-5 on the season while posting the program's third straight win. The setback dropped Rowan to 7-3.

From the outset, the Captains jumped out to a fast 3-0 lead. Less than two minutes into regulation, Eleanor Collins flipped the ball over to Hunter, who found a seam on the right side and whistled a one-timer for the game's opening goal. Moments later, Winters circled around the crease, barreled through a stick check, and spun a shot inside the left pipe.

Continuing the onslaught, Guidi joined the party as the third-year star snaked through a slew of defenders before scoring in the center of the zone, which led to a Rowan timeout.

After the stoppage, the visitors found their rhythm. Over the next six minutes, the Profs slapped four straight goals on the board to steal a 4-3 edge. Looking to turn the page, the Captains stepped up on both ends of the field.

First, after Morrison secured her second draw of the period, Winters landed the equalizer. After bolting around the right pipe, she planted her foot, cut back, and unleashed a turnaround jumper, which leveled the score at four.

Then, in the waning moments of the first quarter, Rowan had possession with an opportunity to break the deadlock. Putting an end to the threat, Rusinko came through with a huge check along the left pipe to dislodge the ball before snatching the roller and clearing the defensive end.

Although the Profs eventually regained a lead early in the second stanza, Christopher Newport fired back. Once again, Winters evened the score after burying a rocket just under the crossbar in the 20th minute. Then, after Rusinko added her second strip with a great grab on an errant feed, Iapicca took over.

In less than a minute, the senior star posted back-to-back goals. She opened the stretch with a lefty laser off a flip from McDonald. Then, she earned a free-position attempt and capitalized on a sprint from the left hash. After cutting across the crease, she broke out a pump fake to loosen up the keeper before adding a high-to-high fastball inside the right post.

Holding a 7-5 edge, the Captains kept the pressure on Rowan's defense. With five minutes left in the period, Guidi blistered a shot on the doorstep. Although her initial try was turned aside, she pounced on her own rebound and whipped a sidewinder in traffic for her second tally.

Later, the defense came through with its finest stretch of the game. Holding up against the Profs, Rusinko ate up a roll on the right side before Riley Rafterry-Lee bodied up an attacker along the crease and forced a pass from the interior. Although the visitors kept possession, Iapicca pushed back against a series of dodges on the left side of the zone, which helped force a shot clock violation.

Following the defensive stand, Morrison added the final highlight of the first half after unloading a rip on the run, which secured a 9-5 lead entering the break.

In the third quarter, Christopher Newport's defense continued to shine. Chadwick stoned an early shot before Rozgonyi and Winters killed off clear attempts by the Profs with back-to-back interceptions.

Following the defensive efforts, Guidi completed her hat-trick in the 34th minute. Then, after a takeaway by Hunter, the Captains added a goal in transition at the end of the period. Following the turnover, Morrison burst up the left sideline before connecting with McDonald, who took advantage of the defensive disarray with a quick strike along the crease.

Holding a five-goal edge entering the final period, Christopher Newport kept its advantage after trading blows in the early going. During the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter, both teams collected a pair of goals, including darts by Hunter and Kendall Krause.  Unfortunately, after a Rowan timeout, the momentum began to turn.

In just over 90 seconds, the Profs scored three straight goals. Later, following Morrison's last missile with three minutes left on the clock, Rowan added two more tallies, which pulled the squad back within one entering the final moments of regulation.

Needing to stem the tide, Guidi came through with a back-breaking draw control. With 30 seconds left on the clock, she ran up the right sideline, avoided traffic, cut across the end line, and settled into the left corner before Christopher Newport called for a timeout.

Following the stoppage, Winters took possession behind the cage. Rolling around the back side, she cut through two defenders before lofting a pass to Rozgonyi. After securing the feed, the sophomore sensation circled past McDonald, who screened a pair of Profs on the right side of the zone. Still facing some pressure, she scooted past three more players and landed the final blow before the keeper could get back into position.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 31-25 advantage in shots and a 14-12 lead in ground balls. The Captains also controlled 19 of the game's 31 draws. Along with Morrison and Guidi, Emma Jackson chipped in with five draw controls, while Iapicca led the team with four rollers.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday at 4 p.m. when the squad travels to Randolph-Macon for its first road test in over a month.

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