NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Receiving huge contributions from the program's most experienced standouts, the 21st-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team took down Mary Washington, 13-7, during a Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference battle on a cloud-covered Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Celebrating Senior Day in style, six veterans found the back of the cage while combining for 10 of the squad's 13 tallies. Julia Iapicca netted a hat-trick and became just the fifth player in program history to record a pair of 50-goal campaigns. In that exclusive club, she joined former legend Kristen Conques (2006-07), All-American Sarah Culver (2018-19), and CNU Hall of Famers Kaitlin Quigley (2010-11) and Ashton Marshall (2012-14).

Along with Iapicca, Kelsey Winters chipped in with seven points, including six assists. Syd Guidi and Hope Hunter also had three points apiece, while Eleanor Collins and Sloane McDonald had one goal each.

In addition to the offensive heroes, Blake Hopkins added a pair of ground balls on the defensive end, while Emma Jackson pocketed her 81st career takeaway. That moved her one shy of matching the all-time program record set by Emily Johnson from 2011-14.

With the victory, Christopher Newport improved to 12-4 on the season, while Mary Washington dropped to 5-9.

Although the Eagles struck first in the opening quarter, the Captains responded with a four-goal spurt during an electric three-minute surge. Hunter opened the scoring with a tally off a free-position attempt before assisting on a dagger by Guidi. Less than two minutes later, Guidi came back with her second straight strike after burning a missile under the crossbar on her own eight-meter attempt.

Continuing the surge during a man-up situation, Drew Stanley pulled a defender away from the right post, which allowed McDonald to scurry inside for a dart on the doorstep.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, Gabby Saia played great defense during a lengthy Mary Washington rally to prevent an Eagle from rolling underneath along the right pipe. Shortly thereafter, Hunter pressured a shooter into an off-target attempt before snatching an errant feed that clanked off the stick of another attacker.

Although the visitors eventually chipped their deficit back down to one at the end of the first quarter, Christopher Newport battled back in the second stanza. After the Eagles were hit with a card, the hosts turned to their man-up master. In the 20th minute, Winters connected with Stanley, who dodged a defender on the interior before sinking her fifth extra-man tally of the year, which tied the single-season program record.

Moments later, Iapicca landed a quick-hitter off a pass from Winters before Hunter converted another eight-meter attempt after ducking underneath a defender on a run from the center hash.

Holding a 7-3 lead, the defense put a lid on the first half. After a draw by the Eagles, Collins and Brookelyn Morrison sealed off the right sideline before forcing a turnover. Later, Hadley Chadwick stoned a high-to-high hammer before Morrison punched a ball loose on Mary Washington's final possession of the period.

After the break, Winters kicked off the second-half scoring with a turnaround jumper along the right post. Later, Collins added a missile on the move, while Iapicca converted an open look after the Captains freed up some space on the interior with quick ball movement. Unfortunately, the Eagles continued to find an answer and kept their deficit at four entering the final period.

Looking to stretch the lead, Morrison submitted a highlight for "Goal of the Year" after unloading a no-look, behind-the-back bullet off a feed from Winters. Meanwhile, Chadwick suffocated the Eagles with three early saves, including a pair on free-position attempts.

Although Mary Washington eventually broke through again, the hosts quickly recaptured the momentum. With just over two minutes left in regulation, Iapicca sent a bouncer inside the right post after dusting a defender during a one-on-one match-up in the left alley. Less than a minute later, after Jackson controlled the ensuing draw, Morrison deposited the final nail off a flip from Guidi.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 28-24 advantage in shots and a 19-14 edge in ground balls. The hosts also secured 14 of the game's 24 draws. On an individual level, Guidi had five draw controls, while Morrison had four and Collins added three. Meanwhile, Hunter and Morrison chipped in with three takeaways apiece, while Madi Rozgonyi had a pair of strips. Between the pipes, Chadwick finished with 10 saves.

CNU will return to action on April 27 when the team wraps up the regular season with a 1 p.m. trip to No. 5 Salisbury.

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