CHICAGO –  The University of Chicago women's lacrosse team set the tone right from the start of Friday's matchup. The hosts scored in the game's first minute and utilized an impressive defensive effort all game long to beat visiting Christopher Newport University by a 15-5 final.

The No. 22-ranked Maroons (10-1 record) won their sixth-straight game. The Captains fell to 6-7 on the season.

Junior Zoe Torok snagged the opening draw control and ended up feeding senior Ali Sheehy for a goal only 49 seconds into the contest. Torok then drew a foul and added a free-position goal of her own less than two minutes later. UChicago rode that early momentum to a 6-1 lead after one quarter of play.

Temperatures were in the 30s with a constant snowfall at the Stagg Field turf. But it was the Maroon defense that put CNU into a deep freeze, especially as the game wore on. The Captains were limited to 11 shots taken in the game, including only two attempts in the entire second half. CNU came into the game boasting a top-20 mark in the nation in shooting percentage, so the home side countered with a smothering defensive effort that cut off inside feeds that the Captains were looking to set up.

All told, Christopher Newport's top three scorers this year have accounted for 151 total points. That trio were not able to make an impact on Friday, totaling a mere one assist combined. Senior Adriana Shutler played a big role in gumming up CNU's offense. The defender tied her career high with nine ground balls while her active stick caused four turnovers.

UChicago built up its lead to 8-1 through the first 21 minutes. However, the visitors began to find some rhythm for the rest of the second quarter and tallied three unanswered goals to make the score 8-4 at halftime.

The Maroons remained unfazed. Another free-position goal by Torok preceded two quick strikes from sophomore Lulu Hardy – all in the span of 100 seconds early in the third quarter.

With the game in hand, UChicago made quick work of the fourth quarter and picked up its seventh win by double digits this season.

Hardy scored a team-high four goals with two ground balls. Torok collected three goals, two assists and four draw controls. Sheehy contributed three goals and two ground balls. First-year Jane Chen compiled one goal, three assists and two ground balls.  Senior Lally Johnson dished out three assists. Junior Becky Van Kirk was impactful with five draw controls, three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

First-year goalie Rachel Keefe (10-1 record) played all 60 minutes between the pipes. She made four saves with five goals allowed.

UChicago was super-efficient offensively, scoring 15 times on 23 shots for a season-best .652 shot percentage.

Draw controls were even at 12-12, while the Maroons held a 27-22 lead in ground balls. CNU turned the ball over 34 times, with UChicago committing 24 turnovers of its own.

The Captains went 15-for-27 on clears (.556) while the Maroons converted 15 of 19 (.789).

NEXT GAME:

• Wednesday, April 13 @ 7:00 PM – Carroll University at UChicago