St. Mary's (Md.) Women's Lacrosse Drops Season-Opener at Christopher Newport

Newport News, Va. – Senior attacker Kimmy Routson (Lutherville, Md./Towson) collected her first career hat trick but the St. Mary's College of Maryland women's lacrosse team still fell short against the Christopher Newport University Captains Thursday afternoon, succumbing to a 13-11 non-conference loss in its season-opener.

Routson finished with a game-high three goals to pace the Seahawks while junior captain Lauriann Parker (Woodbine, Md./Glenelg) dished four assists.  Fellow team captains Melissa Mayer (Crofton, Md./South River) and Erin Shackelford (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis) contributed offensively with two goals apiece.

Routson's first goal of the day was sandwiched between a pair of Christopher Newport (1-1) goals as the host team posted a 2-1 lead at 24:28.  St. Mary's responded with four unanswered goals to stake a 5-2 advantage at 15:30.  Parker and junior attacker Emily Shafer (Hollywood, Md./Leonardtown) each had two assists in the run.

The Seahawks (0-1) earned a 7-3 margin at 2:19 on Routson's third goal of the afternoon but CNU's Jessica Singer converted on a free position shot to send the Captains into halftime with a three-goal deficit.

The offensive momentum continued for Christopher Newport in the second half as the Captains outscored St. Mary's, 6-1, in the first 15 minutes and regained a 10-8 lead at 15:10.  Senior attacker Lauren Bennett (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) closed the gap to 10-9 at 11:14 with her first goal of the season but Lauren King gave CNU a three-goal cushion at 7:58 with back-to-back goals.  St. Mary's scored two of the final three goals for the 13-10 final.

Christopher Newport (1-1) outshot the Seahawks, 31-25, and posted a 20-10 advantage in ground balls.  The Captains also edged St. Mary's, 14-12, in draw controls.

Senior captain Cailey Aburn (Jarrettsville, Md./John Carroll School) won four draw controls while defenders Sarah Harnish (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis) and Paige Decker (Clarksville, Md./River Hill) each scooped up two loose balls.

The Seahawks will be back in action on Saturday, February 25 as St. Mary's takes on Dickinson College in non-conference action at 3:00 pm.  The game will be played at St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, Maryland.