NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Capitalizing on historic efforts by Kelsey Winters and Brookelyn Morrison, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team ran past Mary Washington, 17-8, during the semifinals of the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament on a superb Wednesday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Less than two weeks after posting an overtime victory against Mary Washington in the regular season, the Captains made quick work of the Eagles in the rematch as the squad secured a double-digit lead in the first half and never looked back. Christopher Newport's 17 goals marked the most in a postseason tilt since 2018, while the nine-goal triumph was the largest playoff win since a 23-6 victory over Sewanee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on May 8, 2013.

Headlining the attack, Winters dished out seven assists, which equaled the sixth-highest total by a Captain in program history and marked the most in a postseason bout. Meanwhile, her eight total points matched the third-most in a playoff game in school history and tied the finest showing since Elena Obregon deposited nine against Piedmont in the semifinals of the USA South Tournament on April 12, 2013.

Aided by her work against the Eagles, Winters became the fourth player in school history to eclipse 300 career points. She joined the exclusive club alongside Christopher Newport Hall of Famers Meghan Harkey, Ashton Marshall, and Kaitlin Quigley.

In addition to Winters' showcase, Morrison sank five goals against the Eagles. That equaled the second-most by a freshman in a playoff game in school history, trailing only Ashton Marshall's six-goal eruption against Ferrum in the USA South playoffs on April 15, 2011. Just as impressive, Maddie Tomaszewski collected 10 draw controls, which tied the second-highest total by a freshman in program lore. It also marked the third-most by any player in a postseason game.

Along with the history-makers, Julia Iapicca chipped in with six points, while Sloane McDonald notched a hat-trick.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 11-7 on the season and advanced to the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championship for a date with No. 5 Salisbury. The title bout will take place at Sea Gull Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, the setback dropped Mary Washington to 9-9 on the year.

Right from the start, McDonald set the tone on Wednesday. Less than a minute into the contest, she capitalized on a feed from Winters to open the scoring. Although the Eagles responded, the junior came back with her second strike on a breakaway in the eighth minute after collecting a failed clear before winning a 50-yard sprint to the cage.

Back on top, Christopher Newport immediately stretched its lead. Syd Guidi dodged a defender at the top of the zone before blasting a shot off the right pipe for her first goal. Later, Iapicca set up a dagger by Winters before adding two straight free-position darts to steal a 6-1 lead in the opening period.

Starring in every facet of the game, the Captains put on a clinic all over the field. On the defensive end, Tomaszewski pinned an Eagle along the left sideline and forced an errant pass, which Morrison gobbled up. Later, on another failed clear by the visitors, McDonald pressured the keeper before Morrison cut off an outlet along the right boundary to cause another turnover.

Just as effective on the draw, Christopher Newport controlled four in the opening stanza, including a fantastic play by Maelyn Eversole that saw her win a race for a roller into the right corner before eating a check by a defender to secure possession.

Continuing the domination in the second period, Iapicca got into the hands of an attacker and popped a ball loose early in the frame. Moments later, she came back and secured a tough roller that skipped past a slew of sticks during a mad scramble.

Following the early work on the defensive side, the Captains continued their assault on the other end. Winters assisted on three goals during a four-minute stretch, including a tremendous play that saw her snag a bouncer, spin through two defenders, and flip a perfect feed to Hope Hunter, who capitalized on the doorstep. Morrison also added three straight strikes of her own, including one of the fanciest goals of the season.

With less than four minutes left in the first half, Iapicca slipped a pass to the freshman phenom. After catching the ball while cutting through the zone, Morrison never broke stride and unleashed a no-look shovel shot that spun between a defender and the keeper for a highlight-reel tally.

In the third quarter, Morrison continued slicing up the Mary Washington defense with a pair of sidewinders to secure a 13-2 lead. She also flashed her skills on the other end of the field, winning a sprint to the left sideline to prevent an Eagle from securing a pass during another failed clear by the visitors.

Later, Eversole circled around the left pipe and snapped off her first goal before Winters drew the attention of two defenders along the right post, which allowed McDonald to wiggle free on the way to her third strike.

With a 12-goal lead, Christopher Newport never relented on the defensive side. Riley Rafterry-Lee stayed in the face of an attacker and forced a turnover in traffic along the crease. Shortly thereafter, Maddie Rusinko pushed back against a roll along the left pipe, while Tomaszewski dislodged the ball from a midfielder during a tremendous ride along the sideline.

Staring at a 15-3 deficit entering the final 15 minutes, Mary Washington tossed five straight goals on the board in the early part of the period. However, the lead was never in doubt. Pushing back, Eversole connected with Iapicca, who landed her fourth dagger while slipping through a pair of defenders.

Later, after Madi Rozgonyi ripped the ball away from an Eagle during Mary Washington's last push, the Captains added one more highlight. Standing near midfield, Rafterry-Lee dropped a 30-yard rainbow over the head of a UMW defender. On the receiving end, Hunter collected the pass and bolted up the field on a fast break for the final goal of the game.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 37-13 lead in shots and an 11-10 edge in ground balls. The Captains also collected 16 of the game's 27 draws. In addition to Tomaszewski's 10 draws, Morrison and Emma Jackson added two apiece.

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