YORK, Pa. -- Despite an evenly-matched second half, the 17th-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team could not overcome an early deficit as the Captains dropped a 15-10 decision to No. 14 York (Pa.) during a top-20 battle on Wednesday afternoon at Kinsley Field.

Trailing by five at halftime, CNU could not quite chip away at its deficit over the final 30 minutes. Matching the high-powered Spartans with an electric effort in the second half, the Captains eventually pulled back within three, but York held on for the nationally-ranked victory.

During the contest, Syd Guidi deposited her third straight hat-trick and her fifth in the past six games. Brookelyn Morrison and Page Henry also contributed multi-goal efforts, while Kelsey Winters had four points, including three assists. Julia Iapicca and Kate Lamendola rounded out the goal-scorers with a pair of crucial second-half stingers.

Along with her offensive efforts, Morrison added five draw controls and three ground balls. Eleanor Collins also collected three draws of her own, while Hadley Chadwick and Bethany Wyant combined for seven saves between the pipes.

With the setback, Christopher Newport fell to 8-3 on the season, while the win moved York (Pa.) to 3-5.

Although the hosts slipped out to an early lead, the Captains retaliated in the middle of the opening period. After taking possession at the top of the zone, Guidi got moving downhill before dropping her defender to the turf with a cutback. Eventually, she sidestepped the carnage, bolted inside, and scored on the interior.

Moments later, after tight pressure by Maddie Rusinko forced an errant pass on the defensive end, Iapicca took the ground ball and cleared the zone. Piecing together a quick transition, Winters collected a feed behind the cage before finding Morrison rolling inside for a 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately, the Spartans fought back. Over the next 12 minutes, York drove home six straight goals to grab a 7-2 lead in the second quarter.

Looking to steal back some momentum, the Captains turned to Guidi. Circling the defense in front of the crease, the senior outran the Spartans before firing a turnaround tracer, which cut the deficit back down to four. Although the hosts landed the final blow of the first half, CNU came out of the break on fire.

Less than a minute into the third quarter, Guidi completed her hat-trick with a bouncer off a free-position attempt. Later, after Morrison collected the ensuing draw, Winters was shadowed by a defender behind the crease. Searching for some space, she wiggled free for a brief moment and found Henry, who skipped home her first goal of the contest.

Trading rallies, York answered with back-to-back goals before the Captains found their stride again. In the 39th minute, Winters was closely followed by a pair of Spartans. Unfazed by the pressure, she caught a pass from Morrison, stopped on a dime, and watched as the defense ran right past her. Eventually, she cut back and fired a rip between two more players while tumbling to the turf for the team's sixth goal.

Later, after Chadwick walled off the cage and Morrison stripped an attacker, Lamendola converted an eight-meter shot to cut CNU's deficit down to 11-7 entering the final period.

Continuing the seesaw affair, York opened the fourth quarter with a goal before Collins flipped the ensuing draw to Morrison, who immediately started a CNU possession. Eventually, Henry circled around the back of the crease, gained some separation on her defender, and beat a second Spartan to the right pipe before burying a blast under the crossbar.

Sadly, after Christopher Newport inched back within four, the hosts went on a surge in the middle of the period to steal a 15-8 lead.

Refusing to go down quietly, Winters connected with Morrison, who unloaded a high-to-low hammer in the 57th minute. Shortly thereafter, Iapicca bounced home the final goal in the waning moments of regulation to cap off the festivities.

York held a 33-16 advantage in shots while controlling 20 of the 29 draws. Meanwhile, both squads secured 15 ground balls. Iapicca had a team-high five rollers, while Chadwick and Emma Jackson notched two apiece.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the team heads to Granville, Ohio for a 1 p.m. test at Denison.

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