FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- After making history in her first appearance of the year, Christopher Newport standout
Brookelyn Morrison was named the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week, which was announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.
The honor was the third of Morrison's career after she was previously recognized as the Defensive Player of the Week on March 25, 2024 and April 7, 2025. Her three awards are tied for the second-most by any player in program history. Only former legend Morgan Layton received more defensive honors after she was celebrated four times by the USA South from 2008-11.
In addition to her defensive awards, Morrison was also named the league's Offensive Player of the Week on March 11, 2024. Overall, her four weekly accolades are tied for the fourth-most in school history, trailing only CNU Hall of Famers Meaghan Galvin (8) and Ashton Marshall (5) as well as perennial All-American Kelsey Winters (11).
Morrison picked up her latest citation after piecing together a historic performance in the season opener on Friday. During a 23-2 triumph over Berry, she had eight caused turnovers, which tied 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 effort at Marymount on April 19, 2006.
Blanketing the field, Morrison frustrated the Vikings from sideline to sideline. During the opening period, the senior star killed a pair of clears in the first three minutes after stripping a midfielder near the right sideline before adding a trail-check to stymie another rally along the opposite boundary. Moments later, she notched an interception along the crease and jump-started a fast-break, which led to a goal in transition in the eighth minute.
Continuing her work in the second period, the reigning All-American posted three more takeaways during a disruptive four-minute stretch. She picked off a quick flip at the top of the zone and snagged an errant bounce pass near midfield. Then, just before the break, she wrestled possession away from a pair of attackers, which helped give the Captains a 16-1 lead entering halftime.
In the third quarter, Morrison kicked off the action with tight defense against two players along the edge of the arc. Refusing to give an inch, she wrenched the ball loose from a Viking, won a scramble for the roller, and kicked off another successful offensive possession.
One takeaway shy of matching the record, Morrison added her name to the history books in the 37th minute. As Berry attempted another clear, the Ashburn, Virginia native came through with a leaping, out-stretched snag to intercept a pass. Then, she flashed some fancy footwork to wiggle through three defenders before taking an illegal stick to the head, which earned a card and led to a power play goal.
Aided by Morrison's efforts, CNU finished the contest with 24 caused turnovers, which marked the fourth-highest total in program history. The Captains also baited Berry into 13 failed clears, which marked the most by any opponent since 2016.
In addition to her eight caused turnovers, Morrison also collected six draw controls and six ground balls. Meanwhile, on the offensive end, she chipped in with five points, including three goals.
A two-time All-American, Morrison already owns the program's career record with 128 caused turnovers. She also sits second all-time with 247 draw controls, while her 122 ground balls are tied for 14th on the career charts.
Morrison and the rest of the Captains will return to action on Saturday when Christopher Newport hosts Roanoke at 3 p.m.
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