Box Score NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 19th ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team improved to 11-5 overall this season when they raced past Houghton College (9-5) in a 7-0 final. Captains sophomore Marlene Lichty had a hat trick and added an assist to help CNU in the win.

The Captains pressured the Houghton keeper from the opening whistle, but Hillery Duman was up for the task in the first 35 minutes, stopping five shots. CNU got on the board at the 14:05 mark when Lichty connected on her first goal of the day. Then, junior Caitlin Cahill made it 2-0 with a goal just six minutes later.

Houghton kept the Captains at bay the rest of the half, holding CNU to a 2-0 lead at the break. After halftime, though, the Captains broke the game wide open scoring five goals on 10 shots.

Midfielder Breanne Lowe connected on a penalty stroke in the 45th minute to start the second-half scoring barrage. Then, Lichty completed the hat trick by scoring a pair of goals in the 50th and 57th minutes for the Captains. Belle Tunstall and Marcy Hoath assisted on the scores.

In the final 13:05, the Captains added two more goals as senior Paige Childers connected off an assist by Lichty, and Meghan Sulllivan scored from Lindsay Hendricks.

The Captains outshot the Highlanders 20-5 in the game, allowing just two shots on goal. Jaime Dowling and Julie Collins each made one save for the Captains in net. Duman made eight saves for the Highlanders, allowing seven goals on 15 shots on-goal.

CNU will close out the regular season on Saturday, when they host Transylvania University in the Senior Night finale at 7:00 pm.