NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Continuing a historic start to the 2026 campaign, Faith O'Connor collected her sixth consecutive hat-trick while helping carry the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team past No. 23 Haverford, 14-8, on a warm Wednesday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Against the Fords, O'Connor registered four points, including three goals. With that performance, she became the first player in program history to open a season with six straight hat-tricks. Previously, CNU Hall of Famer Ashton Marshall and longtime legend Erin Callahan had five-game runs to kick off the 2013 and 2014 campaigns.

In addition to her work on the offensive end, O'Connor helped the Captains dominate possession while pocketing a career-high nine draw controls.

Equally electric on the attack, Elena Sorkin drove home five goals, which matched the highest total of her career. Kate Lamendola also added two strikes and an assist to round out the high-volume scorers.

On the other end of the field, Brookelyn Morrison and Gabby Saia caused four turnovers apiece. Saia also finished with a career-high three ground balls, while Hadley Chadwick matched her season-high with eight saves. With that performance, Chadwick recorded her 36th career victory, tying former standouts Gayle Robinson and Hanna Slough for the most in program history.

Adding another layer to Chadwick's historic outing, Wednesday's game was her sixth career win against a nationally-ranked opponent. Putting that into perspective, her total equals the same amount recorded by every other goalie in program history.

With the win, Christopher Newport improved to 5-1 on the season, while the setback dropped Haverford to 4-2.

From the beginning, the hosts stormed out to a quick lead while notching the first four goals of the game. Kicking things off, Brooklynn Peterson sank a spinning snipe from the left side after twirling around a defender less than 50 seconds into regulation. Moments later, Sorkin added back-to-back blasts, while O'Connor joined the fun with her first rocket in the ninth minute on the way to a 4-0 lead.

Later in the stanza, Sorkin polished off her first-quarter hat-trick after converting a free-position attempt with a low liner from the left hash.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side, the Captains threw up roadblocks all over the field. Morrison deflected a rip in traffic before Chadwick intercepted a pass near the right post. Shortly thereafter, Sam Manico blanketed an attacker on the interior and prevented a feed from connecting on the doorstep.

Later, Hulse put together an impressive run. First, the second-year star stuck to the hip of a Ford and forced a turnover at the top of the zone. Then, on a clear attempt, she cut off a run up the left sideline. Eventually, her pressure caused a midfielder to change course before Saia swooped in and finished the play with a takeaway along the boundary.

Holding a 5-1 lead after the first 15 minutes, Christopher Newport continued its defensive domination early in the second stanza. Morrison intercepted a bounce pass in the right alley before Chadwick came through with a slick shorthanded save from her knees along the left post. Saia also knocked a midfielder across the right sideline to force a turnover before Morrison swallowed a dodge and caused a wild pass to sail out-of-bounds at the end of a lengthy defensive stand.

Just as successful on the other side of the field, Elle Roberts circled around two defenders from the left wing before hitting the brakes in the center of the zone. Eventually, she cut back to her left and whistled a one-timer into the top right corner of the cage.

Still rolling along, O'Connor added her second tally after splitting two defenders on a run up the right alley before Molly Campbell skipped a free-position attempt into the bottom right corner of the cage on the way to an 8-3 halftime lead. 

Following the break, the Captains orchestrated a lethal assault while stretching their advantage to 13-4. O'Connor kicked off the surge with an eight-meter missile before assisting on Sorkin's fourth goal. Then, Lamendola set up a buzzer-beater by Sorkin at the end of a long possession in the 36th minute before adding her own highlight-reel tally just a few moments later.

Hounded by three defenders at the top of the zone, Lamendola kept possession despite the pressure. Eventually, she drove forward, stopped, pulled back, and reset for a brief second. Unfazed by the human wall in front of her, she split the first two Fords and sidestepped the third before uncorking a missile on the move for the squad's 12th goal.

Then, mere minutes later, Drew Stanley capitalized on a second-chance opportunity. After Haverford's goalie made a save, the junior charged inside, grabbed the rebound, and snapped a seed between the keeper and the left post, which helped the Captains take an eight-goal edge into the final period.

Staring at a large hole in the fourth quarter, the visitors tried to battle back, but CNU had an answer on the defensive side. Lexi Larson broke up a Hail-Mary heave on a failed clear along the left sideline before Saia badgered an attacker near the same spot to force a turnover just moments later. Then, Campbell drove a Ford into the turf at the top of the arc, while Chadwick made a stick-side save off a free-position attempt in the 57th minute.

With little left to prove, Christopher Newport tossed one final goal on the board in the waning moments of regulation. Running a textbook give-and-go in transition, Lamendola tossed the ball to Peterson, who quickly returned it from the right wing. After regaining possession, Lamendola capped off the festivities with her second dart of the contest.

Overall, CNU held a 31-22 advantage in shots and a 14-10 edge on draw controls. Meanwhile, both teams collected 20 ground balls, including three apiece by Morrison, Campbell, Saia, and Chadwick.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the squad wraps up its three-game homestand with a noon test against Ursinus.

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