NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Bolting out to a five-goal halftime lead, the 21st-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team built just enough cushion to survive a late rally by Mary Washington as the Captains picked up a 13-12 triumph in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Semifinals on a warm Wednesday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Although the Eagles scored six times in the fourth quarter, including three in the final six minutes, the Captains brushed aside Mary Washington's comeback bid to earn the program's fourth straight trip to the conference championship. Leading the way, Julia Iapicca registered six points and matched her career-high with six ground balls before piecing together a game-saving run in the final minute of regulation to seal the victory.

Along with Iapicca, Brookelyn Morrison chipped in with four points, including the 100th of her tenure. Syd Guidi also deposited three strikes and became just the eighth player in program history to reach 150 career goals.

Continuing the historic performances on the offensive end, Kelsey Winters handed out her 67th assist of the year, matching her own program record. Meanwhile, Drew Stanley sank her sixth man-up goal of the season. That tied Morrison for the most in school lore.

On the other end of the field, Emma Jackson added her name to the history books as well. The reigning All-American collected her 89th career caused turnover, tying former legend Emily Johnson's all-time program record. She also eclipsed 200 career draw controls, joining CNU Hall of Famer Meaghan Galvin as the only Captains to reach that plateau.

With the win, Christopher Newport improved to 13-5 on the season and earned a trip to the conference championship for a date with No. 5 Salisbury on Saturday at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Mary Washington wrapped up the year with a 5-13 record.

In the early going, Iapicca opened the scoring with a lethal assault. With three defenders trying to wall off the right pipe, she still stormed towards the crease and found a sliver of daylight to open the scoring less than a minute into regulation. Later, she added the game's second strike after converting a slick give-and-go with Sloane McDonald.

Although Mary Washington eventually responded after a timeout, Iapicca quickly retaliated. This time, she slipped a pass to Morrison, who unleashed an absolute missile under the crossbar for a 3-1 edge.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Christopher Newport was equally effective. Early in the opening period, Jackson buried an attacker into the turf and forced a turnover before Iapicca pounced on the loose ball. Moments later, Kate Lamendola dropped another attacker on the left side of the zone, Hadley Chadwick gobbled up an errant pass that deflected off the stick of an Eagle, and Gabby Saia helped clean up a failed clear after Guidi applied pressure near midfield.

Later in the period, Chadwick came back with three saves, while Lamendola stripped another attacker after Iapicca pinned her against the left sideline.

In the second stanza, CNU went back to work on the offensive end. Maelyn Eversole stung the back of the net off a feed from Morrison, while Winters dropped a floater to Iapicca, who quickly completed her first-half hat-trick.

Still motoring along after Mary Washington whistled for a timeout, Guidi absorbed some contact with a defender before whistling a one-timer into the bottom right corner of the cage. Shortly thereafter, Iapicca saved a ball from slipping out-of-bounds along the right sideline before capitalizing on her own hustle with a bouncer on the doorstep.

Although the visitors managed to slap a pair of goals on the board, Chadwick snuffed out a late rip with a shorthanded save after the hosts were hit with a card. Then, in the final seconds of the first half, Guidi torched a defender during a one-on-one battle before sinking a missile on the move to snatch an 8-3 lead entering the break.

Continuing her work in the second half, Guidi took advantage of a pick by Winters to gain a little wiggle room before draining her third goal of the contest.

Meanwhile, on the back end, Carys May blanketed an attacker and forced a turnover at the end of the shot clock, while Madi Rozgonyi drove an Eagle out of bounds along the right sideline. Later in the period, Lamendola caught up to a streaker and knocked the ball loose on a breakaway before Iapicca won a battle for the roller to kill off the threat.

Unfortunately, Mary Washington continued to attack. The visitors landed three goals in the third quarter and two more at the start of the fourth to pull back within one at 9-8.

Needing to respond, Jackson controlled the ensuing draw before Winters went to work. Isolated with a defender behind the cage, she cruised around the left pipe, gained a little space, and pumped a pellet into the bottom corner of the net.

Less than a minute later, after Guidi snatched another draw control, Morrison secured a little breathing room. Breaking out a pump-fake, she caught the defense flat-footed, scooted around a wall of Eagles, and snapped off a sidewinder, which gave the Captains an 11-8 edge with less than 12 minutes remaining in regulation.

Trading punches, Mary Washington retaliated before CNU capitalized on a card in the 52nd minute. With an advantage on the offensive end, McDonald found Stanley, who pounded a shot under the crossbar to secure a four-goal lead.

Refusing to go down quietly, the Eagles hung three straight goals on the board during a four-minute window late in regulation. Looking for a stop, Jackson came through with a crucial draw control before Iapicca did the rest.

Taking the ball with 53 seconds left on the clock, the fifth-year phenom put on a clinic. With Mary Washington trying to force a turnover, Iapicca cut through the defense while keeping possession. Eventually, she broke through a double-team along the left sideline and drew a card after an Eagle clocked her in the head with a stick.

Unfazed by the assault, she scampered towards the right sideline, darted through multiple defenders, and cut all but eight seconds off the clock before Mary Washington finally gained control. Putting the final punctuation mark on the victory, McDonald pressured the Eagles' goalie along the end line to kill off the last few ticks.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 29-27 advantage in shots and a 16-12 lead in ground balls. The squad also controlled 19 of the game's 28 draws. On an individual level, Jackson finished with eight draw controls, while Morrison collected seven. Guidi and Eleanor Collins also gobbled up two apiece.

---ISH---