GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College women's lacrosse team wrapped up its non-conference slate Sunday afternoon at Benson Bowl, falling to No. 19 Christopher Newport University by a score of 20-5. Kenyon moved to 4-5 on the season while CNU improved to 10-3.
Senior Lily Mason paced the Owls offensively, netting her third hat trick of the season. Mason was efficient with her opportunities, firing three shots and converting all three while also collecting two groundballs and causing three turnovers. Ashley Quinn and Charlotte Skelly each added a goal for Kenyon, while Skelly also chipped in three groundballs in a gritty two-way effort.
Christopher Newport seized early momentum, controlling the draw circle and building a quick lead. After Brookelyn Morrison opened the scoring just 49 seconds into the contest, the Captains strung together two more goals to jump ahead 3-0 before Mason responded for the Owls at the 12:45 mark of the first quarter, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The visitors continued to apply pressure throughout the opening period, capitalizing on strong draw control play from Morrison and Emilie Shoults. Christopher Newport rattled off seven of the final eight goals of the quarter, highlighted by multiple strikes from Faith O'Connor and Elena Sorkin, to take a commanding 10-1 lead after the first 15 minutes.
The Owls showed resilience early in the second quarter. Mason opened the frame with her second goal of the afternoon, and Quinn followed minutes later with a man-down tally after a defensive stop sparked a transition opportunity. Mason later converted again on a free-position chance while the Owls held a player advantage, trimming the margin to 14-4 heading into halftime.
In the second half, Christopher Newport continued to dictate the pace. Peterson and Molly Campbell added goals in the third quarter before Skelly provided Kenyon's final tally with 1:49 remaining in the period, finishing a possession that cut the score to 16-5.
The fourth quarter saw the Captains close the game with four additional goals, including tallies from Maddie Lamy, Kate Lamendola and Campbell to seal the 20-5 result.
Christopher Newport finished the afternoon with 36 total shots and held a decisive edge in draw controls, winning 19 compared to Kenyon's eight. Goalkeeper Meagan Lacombe stood tall in the cage for the Owls, making 10 saves while facing 28 shots on target. The sophomore's season save percentage now sits at .402. Kenyon also held its own in the groundball battle, trailing narrowly 17-15, with Skelly, Stewart, Mason and Kendall Schottler all contributing multiple pickups.
Despite the loss, Kenyon's defense forced its share of disruptions. Lia Stewart and Cecily Torres each recorded two caused turnovers, while the Owls matched the Captains with 13 caused turnovers as a team. Stewart also added two groundballs while Quinn contributed a caused turnover of her own. Bridgette Cassidy led Kenyon in the draw circle with three controls, while Mason and Lily Kirsch each secured two and Ella Rigoli added one.
Up next, the Owls shift their focus to North Coast Athletic Conference play and Senior Day, as they host Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops on Saturday, April 4. First draw at Benson Bowl is set for 1:00 p.m.
