The University of Redlands women's lacrosse team faced off against Christopher Newport University (VA) on Wednesday afternoon in Newport News, Virginia. Despite jumping out to a 4-1 lead, the Bulldogs struggled to halt the Captains' prolific attack, resulting in a 10-20 loss for the Maroon and Gray.
With the two teams meeting for the first time, Redlands also became CNU's inaugural lacrosse opponent from west of the Mississippi River in program history.
Senior attack player/midfielder KK McCaslin (Portland, OR) initiated the scoring with a successful free-position shot less two minutes into the action.
After CNU answered, the Bulldogs fired off three-consecutive goals, taking a 4-1 lead with 15:59 remaining in the opening frame. McCaslin, junior defender Robin Taylor (Poway, CA), and sophomore midfielder Stephanie Garrett (San Diego, CA) joined forces for this Redlands hat trick over a 10-minute span.
However, the Captains regrouped to uncork their first of two major scoring sprees to take a lead that they never relinquished. Bulldog freshman attack player Dulce Moll (Mercer Island, WA) stopped the first outburst at six goals, making it a 5-7 game with 6:21 left on the first-half clock. But CNU quickly replied with another impressive run, putting the game seemingly out of reach for the Maroon and Gray.
By the midway point of the second stanza, Redlands gained new life by closing out the game with a 5-3 run to finish strong. Garrett rallied for three of her team-leading four goals, while senior midfielder Jacky Craycraft (Trabuco Canyon, CA), and sophomore midfielder Ellen Holt (Happy Valley, OR) contributed one score apiece.
As a team, the Bulldogs matched up with the Captains in most statistical categories, specifically draw controls (16 each) and shots (30 each).
Craycraft led the Bulldogs with six draw controls and four ground balls.
For CNU (2-2), Kylie Chaplin gained a game-high five goals, while Hanna Slough patrolled the Captains' cage with 14 saves.
Redlands (5-3) wraps up its Spring Break trip with Friday's 1 p.m. showdown against Virginia Wesleyan University in Norfolk. Fans may watch the competition via web stream.