WINCHESTER, Va. -- After digging out of a four-goal hole midway through the third quarter, the 14th-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team tried to overcome another deficit in the final stanza, but Shenandoah pushed back against the late surge and stole an 8-6 victory on Saturday afternoon at Aikens Stadium.

In a grueling defensive battle, Julia Iapicca scored a pair of goals for the Captains after landing back-to-back daggers in the third stanza, which knotted the game at five. Later, Maelyn Eversole found the back of the cage on a free-position attempt in the final period, but her late heroics were not enough to overcome the Hornets.

On the defensive side, Brookelyn Morrison came through with four takeaways after notching seven against Randolph-Macon on Wednesday. Iapicca also chipped in with a pair of strips, while Hadley Chadwick pocketed eight saves in the crease.

With the setback, Christopher Newport dropped to 3-1 on the season, while the victory bumped Shenandoah to 3-0. It also marked the Hornets' second victory over a nationally-ranked opponent this year after dispatching No. 15 Messiah, 9-8, last Saturday.

Jumping out to a quick lead, the Hornets secured an early cushion. Although Kelsey Winters connected with Sloane McDonald on a high-to-low hammer in the fourth minute, Shenandoah got the best of the early battles. The hosts strung together four straight goals during a three-minute run stretching from the end of the first quarter to the start of the second.

Staring at a 5-1 deficit with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, CNU showed impressive resiliency while battling back from the four-goal hole. Kicking off the resurgence, Iapicca did the dirty work down low to secure a ground ball in the middle of a crowd off an initial save by the Hornets. With a second opportunity, Syd Guidi dished over to Hope Hunter, who bounced a blast inside the left post.

Later, after two saves by Chadwick and a Morrison takeaway, Guidi landed Christopher Newport's third blow. After sidestepping a defender at the top of the zone, she pushed in and dunked over a second Hornet on the interior to pull the visitors back within two at 5-3.

Still chipping away in the third quarter, Iapicca took over. In the 36th minute, she was matched up one-on-one with a defender. Although the Hornet attempted to tie her up along the left alley, she bullied her way through contact, gained some space, and skipped home her first goal of the contest.

Two minutes later, after Chadwick brushed aside a free-position attempt by the hosts, Iapicca evened the score at five. Isolated with another defender, she circled over the top and buried a missile under the crossbar for her second straight strike.

Unfortunately, Shenandoah regained its momentum in the fourth quarter. The Hornets slapped a pair of goals on the board in the first five minutes to steal a 7-5 lead. Looking to fight back, Maddie Rusinko came through with a physical ride to stone a push along the left post before Madi Rozgonyi picked off an errant pass and started a successful clear in the middle of the period.

Capitalizing on the other end, Eversole shook off a brutal hit on the interior to earn a free-position attempt. With a clean look from the center hash, she sent a one-timer through the legs of the keeper to pull the Captains back within one.

Trading blows, Shenandoah answered with six minutes remaining in regulation. Staring at another two-goal deficit, the Captains pieced together a valiant comeback bid in the waning moments. Morrison was at the center of the action as the second-year star forced two late turnovers. First, she ripped possession away with an interception at the top of the zone before driving an attacker out-of-bounds along the right sideline.

Iapicca also came through with a leaping snag to help break up a last-minute clear attempt by the hosts, but the offense could not capitalize on the extra possessions as Shenandoah held on for the win.

Overall, the hosts held a 24-20 edge in shots and a 5-4 lead in ground balls. Meanwhile, both teams collected nine draw controls. On an individual level, Morrison and Emma Jackson had three draws apiece for CNU.

Christopher Newport will return to action on March 5 at 11 a.m. when the team travels to Clearwater, Florida for a neutral-site battle with No. 15 St. John Fisher.

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