CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Hope Hunter collected a career-high five points, while Eleanor Collins starred on the draw as the 15th-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team took down No. 19 St. John Fisher, 10-9, during a neutral-site thriller on Tuesday morning at the Countryside Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida.

Against the Cardinals, Hunter registered her second hat-trick of the season while also contributing a pair of assists. She had a hand in each of CNU's first four goals as the Captains dug out of an early hole to notch another come-from-behind victory. Later, she added the squad's final blow with seven minutes remaining in regulation to help lock up the win.

While Hunter was shining on the offensive side, Collins continued to serve as the centerpiece of Christopher Newport's draw control unit. The senior standout collected three draws, including the 100th of her career. She became just the 15th player in program history to reach that milestone.

Aided by Collins' work, CNU eventually secured 14 of the game's 21 draws. Making that performance even more remarkable, the Captains were facing a St. John Fisher squad that led the NCAA in draw control percentage last year and returned the vast majority of its standout performers.

Along with Hunter's work on the offensive end, Julia Iapicca continued her scoring binge with two more strikes. With that performance, she became just the seventh Captain in school history to open a season with five straight multi-goal efforts. She joined the list alongside CNU Hall of Famers Meaghan Galvin (2014), Ashton Marshall (2013), Meghan Harkey (2010), and Kaitlin Quigley (2009) as well as longtime legends Erin Callahan (2014) and Kristyn Hankins (2006).

Brookelyn Morrison also chipped in with three points for the victors, while Sloane McDonald netted a pair of goals.

With the triumph, Christopher Newport improved to 4-1 on the season, while St. John Fisher dropped to 0-2. Coupled with earlier wins against No. 7 Washington & Lee and No. 16 Roanoke, the 2024 Captains joined the 2021 squad as the only teams in program history with three wins against nationally-ranked competition.

Although St. John Fisher slipped out to an early lead on Tuesday, Christopher Newport quickly retaliated. Hunter set up a first-quarter goal by Morrison before landing back-to-back blows of her own to knot the score at three early in the second stanza.

After clawing back into the contest, the Captains quickly stole their first lead in the 25th minute. Maddie Rusinko killed off a push by the Cardinals before the attack went back to work. Taking advantage of a power-play situation after St. John Fisher was hit with a card, Hunter found McDonald, who deposited the go-ahead rip with less than six minutes left in the first half.

Continuing to shine on both ends of the field, Madi Rozgonyi added a takeaway on SJF's ensuing surge before Hadley Chadwick brushed aside an on-target shot. Moments later, Iapicca joined the party with her first dagger of the contest, which gave CNU a 5-3 lead entering the break.

In the second half, the two squads engaged in a back-and-forth affair. The Cardinals opened the scoring before Iapicca converted a free-position attempt. Then, after St. John Fisher cut its deficit back down to one, Morrison added her own missile from the eight-meter arc to secure a 7-5 cushion at the end of the third period.

Searching for a little more breathing room in the fourth quarter, the Captains unloaded on the SJF back line. Continuing to capitalize on free-position attempts, Hunter and Kelsey Winters both ripped rockets in the final 15 minutes, while Morrison and McDonald teamed up on another goal to help secure a 10-6 lead midway through the period.

Still battling, St. John Fisher came storming back. The Cardinals deposited the final three goals of the contest to cut CNU's lead back down to one. However, Christopher Newport survived the scare as Hunter and Morrison both forced late turnovers to help kill off crucial seconds, while Syd Guidi controlled a pair of draws to slow down the comeback bid and seal the win.

Overall, CNU held a 21-19 advantage in shots, while St. John Fisher led the way in ground balls, 15-10. Hunter, Iapicca, and Morrison all notched two rollers for the Captains, while Rozgonyi finished with two takeaways on the back side. Between the pipes, Chadwick added five saves.

Following the Spring Break trip, Christopher Newport will return to Jennings Family Stadium on Sunday at noon when the team kicks off a five-game homestand against Rhodes.

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