NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Kicking off the 2026 campaign with a remarkable performance on both ends of the field, the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team registered a 23-2 victory over Berry in the season opener on a frigid Friday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

The 23 goals equaled the most by the Captains since a 24-5 triumph against Southern Virginia on April 2, 2019. The historic assault also matched the finest performance in a season opener, tying a 23-12 win over Hollins on March 3, 2002.

On the other end of the field, CNU caused 24 turnovers, which marked the fourth-highest total in school history. As a result of the well-rounded showcase, the Captains walked away with a 21-goal victory. That marked the program's largest triumph since a 23-1 win against Virginia Wesleyan on March 20, 2021.

On an individual level, senior All-American Brookelyn Morrison caused eight turnovers, which matched the single-game school record. Meagan Pfarr originally set the standard with eight takeaways at Averett on March 29, 2003 before Sally Allstadt equaled that performance at Marymount on April 19, 2006.

Along with Morrison's eight strips, Gabby Saia and Sam Murphy had three apiece, while Kate Webb, Annabella Burke, and Page Henry chipped in with two each. Refusing to give the Vikings an inch of space, the Captains baited Berry into 13 failed clears. That was the most by an opponent since Virginia Wesleyan mishandled 16 attempts on March 9, 2016.

In addition to her three takeaways, Murphy finished with a game-high seven draw controls. That marked the second-highest total by a Captain in her collegiate debut in program history. Only CNU Hall of Famer Meaghan Galvin eclipsed that performance after she had nine draws against Washington and Lee on February 16, 2014.

On the offensive side of the field, Faith O'Connor led the victors with six points, including five goals. The Preseason All-American scored four of the game's first six tallies as CNU built a commanding 6-0 lead in the first nine minutes of action. The hosts eventually secured a running clock with a 10-goal advantage in the 14th minute.

In addition to O'Connor's efforts, Morrison, Brooklynn Peterson, and Elena Sorkin dropped in hat-tricks, while Molly Campbell added four points, including three assists. With her three goals, Peterson became only the seventh player in program history to record a hat-trick in her collegiate debut. She was also the first to accomplish that feat since former legend Hope Hunter had three strikes at Shenandoah on February 15, 2020.

The win also marked head coach Lisa Valentine's 100th career triumph with the Captains. She moved four away from matching the all-time program record of 104 victories, which Carolyn Query set from 2008-15.

With the win, CNU improved to 1-0 on the season, while the setback dropped Berry to 1-1.

Setting the tone from the very beginning, Christopher Newport jumped out to an early advantage while starring in all facets of the game. On the defensive side, the Captains forced three failed clears in the first three minutes of action. Kicking things off, Burke stole an errant pass along the center stripe before Morrison stripped a midfielder near the right sideline.

Moments later, Peterson cut off a run along the left boundary before Morrison came in from behind and hammered the ball loose for her second takeaway of the contest.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, CNU peppered Berry with a relentless assault. O'Connor got the party started after skipping a seed into the bottom right corner of the cage less than three minutes into the contest. Shortly thereafter, Peterson added her first career tally after scoring off a free-position attempt before Morrison planted a missile just under the crossbar for a 3-0 edge.

After that point, O'Connor sank three straight goals in less than a minute of action. Her efforts were aided by fantastic work on the defensive end. Morrison set up the first goal with an interception along the crease before jump-starting a fast-break that Berry could not handle. Later, during an unsettled situation behind the cage, Webb popped a ball loose before O'Connor collected the bouncer and scored on the doorstep.

Although Berry finally struck in the ninth minute, Christopher Newport quickly regrouped. Morrison continued to tickle the top right corner of the cage with a pair of late goals while adding an assist on Sorkin's first dart. Meanwhile, Campbell and Peterson both scored on the interior to help the hosts steal an 11-1 lead at the end of the first period.

Continuing the assault in the second stanza, Megan Rotzler won a one-on-one in the right alley before bouncing a shot inside the post for her first career goal. Shortly thereafter, Sorkin used a slick cutback to sidestep a defender before adding her second strike, while Maddie Lamy capitalized on a power play with a tracer from the right side.

Holding a 14-1 edge, CNU remained equally vigilant on the defensive end as Saia and Morrison combined for five takeaways during the quarter. Saia picked off a bouncer during a lengthy push by the visitors before adding a leaping interception on a failed clear along the right boundary. Meanwhile, Morrison had an outstretched strip to break up a quick flip at the top of the zone. Later, she plucked an errant feed off the turf before wrestling possession away from a pair of attackers to notch her sixth caused turnover of the contest.

With little left to prove before halftime, the Captains slapped two more goals on the board to take a 16-1 advantage. Sorkin started the late surge after wrapping a shot around the left post before Lamy found Drew Stanley cutting inside for a buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter.

After the break, Morrison quickly made history. Just a pair of takeaways shy of matching the program record, she quickly threw up roadblocks on two of Berry's first three possessions. Playing tight defense, she swallowed up an attacker and jostled a ball loose in the 32nd minute before coming back with a leaping interception on a failed clear to polish off her defensive wizardry.

Along with Morrison's work, the Captains also tacked on three goals in the third quarter. Peterson completed her hat-trick after securing a feed from Emilie Shoults in the right alley. Shortly thereafter, O'Connor blew right through a defender during a sprint down the center of the zone before Webb took advantage of a pinpoint pass from Burke to steal a 19-2 lead entering the fourth quarter.

In the final frame, CNU put the finishing touches on the season-opening victory. On the back end, Laci Welch stood up an attacker and popped a ball free during an early push by the visitors. Later, Maura Farrell stoned a clear in the center of the field before Elle Roberts jumped on the loose ball. Henry also picked off a pair of passes in the middle of the turf, Sam Murphy forced a turnover with tight defense at the top of the zone, and Lexi Larson ate up a cutback, knocked a ball loose, and flipped the field after winning a scramble for the roller.

Turning defense into offense, the Captains continued to torment the Vikings in transition. Carving up the opposition, Webb connected with Murphy and Lamy on two straight fast-break bullets. Later, Henry rifled a one-timer into the top left corner of the cage before Charlotte Hemingway provided the final highlight with an eight-meter missile, which wrapped up the 23-2 win.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 34-2 advantage in shots and an 18-12 lead in ground balls. The Captains also controlled 18 of the game's 26 draws.

CNU will return to action on February 21 when the squad hosts Roanoke at 3 p.m.

---ISH---