SALISBURY, Md. -- Staring at a six-goal deficit early in the third quarter, the 21st-ranked Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team pieced together an epic rally and pulled back within two in the 41st minute, but No. 4 Salisbury regrouped and escaped with a 15-9 victory during the regular season finale on Saturday at Sea Gull Stadium.

Showing incredible resolve during the comeback bid, the Captains scored four times in just over four minutes of action to close the gap to two at the tail end of the third quarter. Unfortunately, after calling for a timeout, the Sea Gulls settled in and responded with a five-goal streak of their own, which helped the hosts pull away for the win.

On the offensive end of the field, Elena Sorkin chipped in with her 13th straight multi-goal effort, equaling the longest streak by a Captain in program history. Saturday's showcase was also her 19th consecutive outing with at least one goal dating back to last season. That is tied for the seventh-longest run in school history and the finest stretch since CNU Hall of Famer Ashton Marshall had a 20-game roll from May 8, 2013 through April 27, 2014.

Along with Sorkin, Faith O'Connor had three points, including a goal and an assist during an 80-second explosion that kicked off the squad's third-quarter rally. Additionally, Kate Webb collected a goal and an assist for the Captains.

Equally impressive in the middle of the field, Sam Murphy tied her career-high with seven draw controls. Aided by that effort, the first-year phenom concluded the day with 47 total draws this season, marking the third-most by a freshman in school history. On that list, she only trails CNU Hall of Famer Meaghan Galvin (66 in 2014) and current teammate Brookelyn Morrison (58 in 2023).

Meanwhile, on the back end, Gabby Saia had three caused turnovers, while Morrison and O'Connor snatched one apiece. Hadley Chadwick also collected four saves, including her 100th of the year. Coupled with her previous work in 2024 and 2025, she became just the fourth player in program history to hit the century mark in three separate seasons. In that exclusive club, she joined longtime legends Kaitlyn Ready, Gayle Robinson, and Hanna Slough.

With the setback, Christopher Newport fell to 12-5 on the season and secured the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. The victory bumped Salisbury to 16-0 and handed the Sea Gulls the regular season league championship.

Trailing by six early in the third quarter, CNU refused to go down quietly. Early in the period, the squad orchestrated one of its finest defensive stands of the season. With tight pressure in the left alley, Saia and Molly Campbell caused two straight shots to miss the mark. Seconds later, Morrison badgered an attacker into a retreat at the top of the zone before the Sea Gull lofted a Hail Mary heave towards the cage. On the interior, Kate Lamendola won a scramble for the roller to kill the rally along the crease.

Shortly thereafter, Salisbury returned to the offensive end, but Campbell prevented another pass from connecting in the right alley before boxing out an attacker to help complete the takeaway. 

Following the defensive stand, the attack went to work. In the 37th minute, O'Connor put a Sea Gull in the spin cycle while rolling free along the edge of the arc. Eventually, she loaded up and fired an absolute missile that whistled over the head of Lamendola, past a Salisbury defender, and into the top right corner of the cage.

Continuing the surge just seconds later, O'Connor circled around the back of the crease, popped out near the left pipe, and tossed a feed to Morrison, who wrapped a one-timer around the keeper. Then, after Megan Rotzler secured the ensuing draw, Webb won a one-on-one showdown behind the cage. On the play, she shook a defender with a quick jab-step before bolting around the right post and dunking over the keeper.

Still staring at a 9-6 deficit, Campbell pulled the Captains back within two. In the 41st minute, the sophomore star secured a free-position attempt and quickly capitalized with her 11th goal of the year.

Following a Salisbury timeout, the Sea Gulls answered with their 10th goal before Brooklynn Peterson found an answer. After generating another eight-meter shot, the freshman skipped a dagger into the bottom right corner of the cage, which cut Salisbury's lead back down to two at 10-8.

Unfortunately, that was as close as CNU would get. The hosts deposited another shot at the end of the third stanza before erupting for four straight in the final frame.

Despite the swing in momentum, Christopher Newport never relented. The Captains threw up roadblocks all over the field. In the fourth quarter, Saia broke up a pass in the left corner, while O'Connor came down with a leaping interception on a clear attempt near the right sideline. Later, a Sea Gull tried to unload a long-range rocket from the 12-meter fan, but Laci Welch made a phenomenal play to knock the shot out of the air before Morrison grabbed the deflection.

Following the defensive highlights, O'Connor came back with one more strike on the other end of the field. In the final minute, the junior circled around three defenders and bounced a shot inside the left post for the game's last tally.

Along with her three points, O'Connor also added two draw controls, while Rotzler notched a pair as well. Throughout the contest, Christopher Newport battled hard in the center of the turf and eventually split the game's 26 draw controls, including Murphy's team-high seven snags.

In the early going, CNU jumped out to a fast lead after shining on both ends of the field. First, on Salisbury's opening possession, Saia stayed tight with an attacker on a roll behind the crease before punching the ball loose. Then, mere moments later, Lamendola struck on the other side. Cutting around an initial defender at the top of the zone, she drew a second Sea Gull in the right alley before snapping off a shot that eventually spun through the goalie for the game's first tally.

Although the hosts quickly responded with three straight goals of their own, Christopher Newport regrouped on the defensive end. Morrison badgered an attacker in the right wing before deflecting a pass, which caused a turnover. Shortly thereafter, Chadwick stoned a tough bouncer from her knees, but the Sea Gulls added one final strike just before the end of the period to steal a 4-1 lead after 15 minutes.

In the second frame, CNU fired right back. Once again, the squad capitalized on momentum that was created on the defensive end. During an early rush by the hosts, Lamendola stayed on the hip of a shooter and caused a rip to sail past the cage. Then, along the right pipe, Saia stuck with a second Sea Gull and forced a low-percentage shot, which Chadwick gobbled up in the crease.

Capitalizing on the ensuing possession, Webb took control. Staying calm behind the cage, she showed incredible patience while waiting for a teammate to wiggle free. Eventually, Sorkin sliced down the center of the zone. Finding the cutter, Webb dropped a pinpoint pass between the sticks of two defenders before Sorkin landed a dart inside the right post for her first goal of the contest.

Later, Sorkin came back with a beautiful bounce shot that skipped off the turf and tucked itself under the crossbar for her second strike of the stanza. Unfortunately, Salisbury continued its attack on the other side of the turf and grabbed an 8-3 lead at the end of the period before withstanding CNU's comeback bid in the second half.

Overall, the Sea Gulls held a 31-29 advantage in shots and a 17-11 lead in ground balls. Saia paced the Captains with a pair of rollers, while Murphy snagged one to go along with her seven draws.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday at 4 p.m. when the squad opens up the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament with a semifinal showdown against Mary Washington at Jennings Family Stadium.

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