ASHLAND, Va. -- Trading blows throughout a back-and-forth battle, the 16th-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team could not quite sustain a late lead as the Captains dropped a 12-10 decision at Randolph-Macon on Wednesday evening during a non-conference showdown at Day Field.

Fourth-quarter daggers by Elena Sorkin, Brookelyn Morrison, and Kate Lamendola gave the Captains a three-goal edge with less than six minutes remaining in regulation. However, the Yellow Jackets fought back and countered with the game's final five tallies, including two man-up strikes, to steal the come-from-behind victory.

In a game featuring seven ties and four lead-changes, CNU battled until the bitter end. Reigning All-American Brookelyn Morrison finished with six points, including five goals. She also added a pair of caused turnovers, moving her three shy of matching Emma Jackson's school record of 90 career takeaways.

Along with Morrison's efforts, Faith O'Connor chipped in with three points, Grace Taylor had a pair of assists, and Lamendola, Sorkin, and Drew Stanley all notched key second-half tallies.

On the other end of the field, Christopher Newport was outstanding in transition throughout the contest. The Captains killed off seven clear attempts by the Yellow Jackets, including a tremendous run in the second quarter that helped the visitors snatch their first lead of the game.

With the setback, CNU dropped to 2-1 on the season, while the victory bumped RMC to 3-1.

In the early going, Randolph-Macon grabbed a pair of quick leads, but Christopher Newport answered each time. First, O'Connor earned a free-position attempt and buried a rocket just inside the left post. Then, after Lamendola forced a turnover, Morrison capitalized on the possession with her own eight-meter missile after planting a seed inside the right pipe.

Following the early eruption, both teams settled in on the other side. In the middle of the period, the Captains pieced together one of the finest defensive stands of the season. On a clear attempt, Taylor and Stanley worked together on a double-team to throw up a roadblock near midfield. Although the visitors eventually completed the hard-fought clear, Hadley Chadwick stoned a pointblank laser near the end of the shot-clock, while Madi Rozgonyi blocked a rip and drew an offensive foul after winning a physical altercation on the interior to end the threat. 

Although Randolph-Macon finally broke through with a pair of goals later in the stanza, Christopher Newport kept the hosts within striking distance with one more defensive stand. With time winding down in the period, Chadwick made a gorgeous save during a one-on-one battle along the crease, while Rozgonyi got into the body of a shooter and caused an attempt to spin past the cage, which kept the deficit at two.

In the second stanza, CNU quickly chipped away at RMC's advantage. Less than a minute into the quarter, Taylor rolled up the left wing before threading a pinpoint pass to O'Connor, who was covered by a defender along the post. Despite the tight quarters, the sophomore star spun underneath the Yellow Jacket, toed the crease, and sank her second strike of the contest.

Moments later, Morrison knotted the score at four after converting her second free-position shot of the game with another one-timer inside the right pipe.

Meanwhile, on the defensive end, the Captains blanketed the field while starring in transition. Keeping a tight lid on the Yellow Jackets, CNU killed off a series of clear attempts. First, Eversole flashed her wheels while running stride-for-stride with a midfielder. Eventually, she slipped in front of her opponent and came away with a takeaway check to slam the door near the center stripe.

Continuing to swarm the Yellow Jackets, Morrison pounced on an errant feed that skipped off the turf before O'Connor contested a clear with tight defense in the center of the field, which resulted in another bad pass that landed out-of-bounds. Shortly thereafter, O'Connor teamed up with Stanley to disrupt another surge up the right sideline before the hosts finally managed to hand the ball back to their attack.

Although Randolph-Macon came through with a successful clear, the Captains were equally stingy on the back end. On the subsequent possession, Gabby Saia drew a foul while pinching off a Yellow Jacket who attempted to circle in front of the crease. Moments later, she stood tall in the middle of a swarm to prevent a successful pass towards the interior before Morrison secured the loose ball and ended the rally.

Following the defensive work, Christopher Newport took its first lead of the contest in the 26th minute. On the play, Eversole changed direction with a slick dodge behind the crease, which drew the attention of the defense. With some room to work, Morrison cut down the center of the zone, collected a pass, and unleashed a high-to-high hammer on the move to hand the Captains a 5-4 edge.

With time winding down in the first half, the defense made sure the visitors kept their advantage entering the break. During a lengthy push by the Yellow Jackets, Maddie Rusinko stuck with an attacker on a curl around the right post to prevent a shot. After Randolph-Macon regrouped, Lexi Larson ate a dodge with a nice ride at the top of the zone, while Chadwick plucked a low liner off the turf. Although RMC regained possession, Morrison killed off a last-second free-position attempt after crashing down on a shooter to prevent an on-target rip.

Staring at a one-goal deficit entering the break, the Yellow Jackets went back on the attack in the second half. Taking advantage of quick possessions, Randolph-Macon deposited two straight strikes to regain a 6-5 lead.

Looking to rebound, Rusinko helped kill off RMC's next possession after tying up a cutter to prevent a connection on the interior before Stanley won control of a looping feed that landed near midfield. After a successful clear, Stanley slipped through three defenders on the left side of the zone before securing a pass from Taylor on the way to her fourth goal of the year.

Although the Yellow Jackets fired back and retook the lead, Christopher Newport landed another counter-punch. Playing shorthanded after a card, Carys May stonewalled an attacker who tried to slip into the center before Rozgonyi grabbed a loose ball along the left sideline. After returning to even strength, the Captains faced another push by the hosts, but Rozgonyi swatted a pass out of the air before completing a successful clear up the left sideline.

Taking advantage of the ensuing possession, O'Connor set up shop behind the cage. Showing patience, she eventually drew three defenders towards the crease, which allowed Morrison to sprint down the center, grab a pass, and fire a rocket on the run to level the score at seven.

Keeping the game knotted at the end of the third, Christopher Newport orchestrated a brilliant defensive effort. Morrison came through with a takeaway on a clear before Larson and Lamendola clamped down on a second rally after pinning a Yellow Jacket against the left sideline. Although Randolph-Macon eventually worked the ball into its offensive end, CNU shut down a free-position attempt. On the play, Morrison and Saia collapsed on a shooter, while Bethany Wyant cleaned up on the back end to polish off the period. 

In the fourth quarter, the Captains found some momentum. After Taylor helped quiet an RMC clear with a leaping deflection on a pass by the Yellow Jackets, CNU capitalized on the extra possession. With time running low on the shot-clock, Sorkin sidestepped a defender, ducked inside, and landed a blast on the interior to give the visitors a lead.

Staring at a deficit, Randolph-Macon attempted to respond, but Saia and May had other plans. On the Yellow Jackets' ensuing possession, Saia had a fantastic ride to force an off-target shot before blocking a second attempt after swatting the stick of a shooter. Although the hosts kept control, May swallowed a cutter around the right pipe before dislodging the ball on the inside to kill off the shot-clock.

Searching for some breathing room, Morrison came back with her fifth goal in the 51st minute. After Stanley saved the possession by tracking down a loose ball, Morrison earned a free-position attempt and whipped a screamer from the center to hand CNU a 10-8 lead.

With RMC scrambling for a response, Rusinko tied up an attacker and forced her into a 20-yard retreat towards the left corner. Shortly thereafter, Jess Hulse switched off an attacker at the top of the zone, dropped inside, and shadowed a second Yellow Jacket to prevent a shot. Eventually, her efforts led to a ground ball, which Rusinko grabbed to end the rally.

Entering the final seven minutes of regulation, Morrison clamped down on another clear attempt by the hosts after chopping the ball out of the stick of a defender during a scrum in the right wing. Moments later, she regained possession and dropped a dime to Lamendola, who spun underneath the defense before dunking on the doorstep to snatch an 11-8 advantage.

Unfortunately, Randolph-Macon was undeterred. Fighting back, the Yellow Jackets scored three times in the next 90 seconds to even the score at 11. Then, after CNU was hit with a pair of late cards, the hosts added two man-up tallies in the final four minutes of regulation to complete their comeback.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 30-26 advantage in shots and a 20-17 lead in ground balls. Morrison came up with a team-high four rollers, while Lamendola and O'Connor collected three apiece. Meanwhile, RMC led the way in draw controls, 16-10, including an 8-1 edge in the fourth quarter.

CNU will make its home debut on Saturday when the Captains welcome Shenandoah to town for a 4 p.m. battle at Jennings Family Stadium.

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