NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Five Captains will hold leadership roles with the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse program during the 2026 campaign as Molly Campbell and Emilie Shoults were named team captains for the upcoming season, while Brookelyn Morrison, Gabby Saia, and Grace Taylor were chosen as assistant captains.

Shoults will serve in her role for the second straight season, while the other four standouts will hold a leadership position for the first time in 2026.

Entering her second year at CNU, Campbell wrapped up an impressive debut campaign in the spring. During her first season, she saw action in 13 games, including six battles against nationally-ranked competition. On the defensive side, she collected four ground balls and six caused turnovers, including a pair of takeaways against No. 5 Salisbury on April 19. The Cockeysville, Maryland native also chipped in with her first career point after dishing out an assist in a 15-11 win at No. 17 Roanoke on April 5.

"Molly embodies the mindset that drives a team forward - she's always focused on solutions and holds herself and her teammates accountable," said head coach Lisa Valentine. "Her ability to stay positive while demanding excellence from herself and others makes her a natural leader who inspires everyone around her."

Serving as a team captain for the second straight season, Shoults has remained a key leader both on and off the field. As a sophomore in 2025, she hauled in first-team All-Conference accolades as the league's top draw specialist. Helping control possession throughout the year, she hauled in 47 draw controls, including two or more in 12 of her 19 appearances. Meanwhile, the Warners, New York native also chipped in with three points during the season, including a pair of strikes in the opener at Lynchburg on February 15.

"Emilie Shoults exemplifies our core values of integrity and team-first leadership," said Valentine. "Her positivity is contagious, and she holds herself to the highest standard, working incredibly hard day in and day out. She's a leader who consistently lifts up those around her and makes our team better."

Anchoring the midfield unit, Morrison was a consensus All-American in the spring after earning national accolades from both the IWLCA and USA Lacrosse Magazine. Also a first-team All-Conference and All-Region pick, she led the league with 43 takeaways and 42 ground balls while also adding 98 draw controls and 47 points. Putting her versatility into perspective, the Ashburn, Virginia native was one of only 12 players in the entire NCAA to finish the year with at least 40 takeaways, 40 rollers, 40 draws, and 40 points.

"Brookelyn is a true performance leader - someone who's willing to put the team on her back when adversity strikes," said Valentine. "Her lacrosse IQ and ability to make plays under pressure elevate the entire team's performance."

Orchestrating a breakout campaign during her second year at CNU, Saia was named a first-team All-Conference performer to go along with a second-team All-Region citation. One of the top up-and-coming defensive standouts in the country, she started all 19 games and notched 22 caused turnovers. She came through with at least two strips in seven of her appearances, including both games during the league playoffs. For her postseason work, the Monroeville, New Jersey native was named to the All-Tournament Team.

"Gabby's toughness and grit on the defensive end inspire her teammates to never back down," said Valentine. "She combines a strong understanding of our defensive system with excellent communication skills, making her an invaluable leader to our defense."

After spending two years splitting time as a starter and key reserve at Winthrop, Taylor quickly made an impact with the Captains during her first year in Newport News. Stepping right in as a focal point on the attack, she started 18 games and ranked second on the squad with 18 assists. Coupled with her 17 goals, she eventually finished with 35 total points. Consistently effective, the Leesburg, Virginia native posted multiple points in 12 games, including a six-point eruption against Mary Washington the the league semifinals on April 30.

"Grace brings a deep understanding of our offense and the vision to orchestrate it," said Valentine. "She holds her teammates to a high standard, offering constructive criticism that makes everyone better. Her collaboration with the coaching staff helps us make key in-game adjustments that will set our team up for success."

During the spring, Christopher Newport advanced to the league championship for the fifth straight season while climbing as high as 15th in the IWLCA National Coaches Poll.

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