Box Score
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Belle Tunstall scored twice and added an assist as the sophomore speedster helped the 13th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team extend its winning streak to eight games with a 4-0 victory over Bridgewater on a waterlogged Sunday afternoon.

During the game, Tunstall played a role in each of the team's first three goals to help pace CNU's offensive attack. Lindsay Hendricks and Shelby Judkins also scored for the Captains, while Jamie Dowling and Julie Collins teamed up to post the squad's third shutout of the season.

With the win, Christopher Newport improves to 10-1 on the season, which matches the team's best record after 11 games, equaling the standard set in 2007 and 2010. The setback moves Bridgewater to 6-5.

Just a day after the Captains' thrilling 3-2 double-overtime victory against No. 5 Mary Washington, the squad refused to have a letdown. From the start, CNU's offense took control. Although the Eagles earned the first corner of the game, Christopher Newport uncorked a pair of shots, including a rocket by Jordan Snider that found an opening before a Bridgewater defender was able to deflect it away from the cage.

Keeping the pressure on, Tunstall capitalized on the frenetic pace. After taking control of a loose ball in the circle, she turned and fired a one-timer past Bridgewater's Jessica Balsano to light up the scoreboard less than 10 minutes into regulation.

Continuing to set the tone, CNU unloaded four more shots during a 15-minute span, but a pair went just wide while two others were pushed aside by Balsano. Refusing to relax, Tunstall eventually came back and ripped another blast towards the cage at 25:32. After the shot squirted free, Hendricks corralled the ball, found some room, and drilled a rocket that went untouched to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage.

Not satisfied with a two-goal lead, Tunstall came back for more. Five minutes before halftime, the second-year standout broke free near midfield and went charging into the Eagle zone. One-on-one with a defender, she made a quick cut, found some freedom inside the circle, and blistered a rope that went right through Balsano and gave CNU a 3-0 edge.

With time running down in the first half, the Captains pieced together one last charge. After earning a corner, CNU fired an initial shot that was stoned by Bridgewater. On the rebound, Judkins crashed in, controlled the ball, and launched another shot that evaded the Eagle keeper and gave the hosts a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the break.

Following halftime, the Captains continued to pressure Bridgewater, firing four shots in the first eight minutes of action. Despite the well-balanced assault, Balsano kept her wits and batted away every attempt.

After surviving the second-half surge by the CNU attack, the Eagle offense went to work. Although the visitors set the pace during the final portion of the game, the Captain defense held strong. With 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Lauren Reinaman made a sensational play to help shut down a potential breakaway along the sideline before Collins clamped down in the cage.

The junior goalkeeper faced a pair of late shots by Bridgewater's Caroline Augsburger, but she kicked aside both attempts to seal the shutout for CNU.

Overall, the Captains held an 18-3 advantage in shots and a 10-3 edge in penalty corners.

Christopher Newport will return to action next Sunday when the squad travels to Dover, Delaware for a battle against Wesley. That game kicks off a run of four-straight road bouts for the Captains over the next two weeks.

---CNU---