SPARKS, Md. -- Three members of the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team were named Preseason All-Americans by USA Lacrosse Magazine as Brookelyn Morrison secured first-team accolades, while Faith O'Connor and Gabby Saia garnered honorable mention citations from the publication on Tuesday afternoon.

With her honor, Morrison became the first player in program history to be named a first-team Preseason All-American. A third-team selection last year, she also joined former legend Kelsey Winters as the only Captains to earn the national recognition on multiple occasions.

In addition to Morrison, O'Connor and Saia were both celebrated for the first time. Overall, the three selections equaled the most in program history, matching the 2023 squad.

Entering her senior campaign, Morrison has already established herself as one of the most decorated players in program history. Last season, she was named an IWLCA and USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American while picking up first-team All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region nods. A well-rounded contributor, she was one of only 12 players in the NCAA to record at least 40 points, 40 draw controls, 40 caused turnovers, and 40 ground balls during the 2025 campaign.

The reigning Virginia State Player of the Year, Morrison rewrote the history books last season. Her 43 caused turnovers marked the second-highest total in program lore, while her 98 draw controls vaulted her to fourth on the school's all-time single-season charts. She also established a new standard with eight man-up goals while concluding the year with 47 total points.

Entering her final collegiate campaign, Morrison already owns the program record with 120 career caused turnovers, while her 241 draw controls rank second all-time. Additionally, she sits in the school's top-20 in points (153), goals (107), and assists (46).

Orchestrating a breakout campaign in 2025, O'Connor helped anchor CNU's potent attack. During her sophomore season, she picked up first-team All-Conference honors while hauling in second-team All-State and All-Region plaudits. A dominant force on the offensive end, she led the Captains with 36 goals, which also ranked sixth among all conference competitors. Over the course of the season, she contributed at least one point in 14 of her appearances and notched 11 multi-goal efforts, including five hat-tricks.

Among her highlights last season, O'Connor landed five goals in a victory over No. 17 Roanoke on April 5 after depositing three strikes against No. 21 Denison on March 29. Later in the year, she continued to torment nationally-ranked competition with four more tallies in a top-10 duel with No. 9 Washington and Lee on April 26. Then, in the postseason, she had a career-best seven-point eruption against Mary Washington in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Semifinals on April 30.

On the other end of the field, Saia established herself as one of the top defenders in the nation while anchoring Christopher Newport's back line during her sophomore season. Starting all 19 games during the 2025 campaign, she received universal acclaim for her work on the defensive side. In addition to garnering first-team All-Conference nods, she was a second-team All-State and All-Region pick after finishing the year with 22 caused turnovers. Remarkably consistent, she forced at least one miscue in 14 of her appearances.

Stepping up against top-flight competition, Saia notched a takeaway in five battles against top-25 foes. Among her efforts, she had two strips apiece against No. 4 Gettysburg on March 12, No. 21 Denison on March 29 , and No. 7 Salisbury in the conference playoffs on May 3. Additionally, she caused two turnovers against Mary Washington in the league semifinals on April 30 while securing a spot on the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team for her postseason heroics.

Morrison, O'Connor, Saia, and the rest of the Captains will kick off the 2026 season on February 13 with a 5 p.m. showdown against Berry at Jennings Family Stadium.

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