Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – In a critical Capital Athletic Conference match-up featuring a pair of top-10 squads, the 10th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team showed off its steely determination and never-say-die attitude as CNU overcame a late first-half deficit to topple No. 7 Salisbury, 3-2, on a perfect Wednesday evening at Captains Turf Field.

With just over 20 minutes left in regulation, Marlene Lichty came through with the game-winner to help cap off an incredible performance by the Captains. Belle Tunstall also chipped in with a goal and an assist, while Kelsey Clark opened the scoring with an early bullet to pace the offensive attack.

On the defensive end, CNU stood toe-to-toe with the nation's seventh-ranked scoring offense and never relented. Shelby Judkins, Chelsea Hines, and Jordan Snider were fabulous along the back line, while freshman Bailey Lien faced the stiffest competition of her career and came through four huge saves to earn her 13th victory of the year.

With the win, Christopher Newport improves to 14-0, including 4-0 in the CAC. The setback drops Salisbury to 9-3 overall and 2-1 in league action. The victory also snaps CNU's five-game losing streak against the Sea Gulls dating back to 2007.

Early in the game, both squads attempted to find their rhythm, but the defenses were steadfast and clamped down on every run before either offense could uncork a shot. After a seven-minute lull, each team found some space and pounded a blast, but Salisbury's initial attempt rolled wide, while Allie Hackbarth's try was batted away by SU's Rachel Clewer.

With the offenses showing some life, Christopher Newport struck first. Just over nine minutes into regulation, Tunstall created some space and flew up the nearside. After pushing the ball towards the goal, the junior speedster slung a beautiful feed to Clark, who drilled a laser into the corner of the cage for a 1-0 lead.

Staring at an early deficit, Salisbury retaliated. Although Hines made a great play to clear the Sea Gulls' first run before Judkins stamped out another one just 30 second later, the visitors regained control and earned a penalty corner at the 19-minute mark. With a clean look, Summer Washburn sent a pass across the circle to Mallory Elliott, who momentarily wiggled free and snuck a shot past Lien to knot the game at one.

After snatching the momentum, Salisbury continued to poke at the CNU defense. This time, Lien batted away a pair of attempts during a four-minute spurt, while her defensive unit blocked two other tries. Unfortunately, the Sea Gulls never stopped and struck again as Samantha Johnson secured a roller and deposited a shot in the back of the cage at 27:46.

Trailing for only the third time all season and facing a dangerous opponent, Christopher Newport never broke and put its unshakable resolve on full display. Refusing to go into the break with a deficit, the Captains went to work. After moving the ball into the Salisbury zone, Lichty and Lisa Murphy broke up a pair of clearing attempts before the offense found an opening.

Just 30 seconds before the horn, Lauren Cheatham took control on the nearside of the field. After pushing the ball towards the post, she was able to get Clewer out of position before dishing across the circle to Tunstall. With a clean look, the third-year standout hammered home the equalizer to knot the game heading into the second half.

Following intermission, Salisbury came out refreshed and attempted to break the deadlock right from the start. The visitors orchestrated the first two scoring opportunities, but Lien kicked away the first shot before Snider cleaned up the second to keep the game knotted at two.

Later, Christopher Newport responded with a sustained run at the 40-minute mark. The Captains earned three straight penalty corners and snapped off a pair of rockets, but Clewer stopped the first before Katie Hastings came through with a clutch defensive save to stifle the second attempt.

Continuing the back-and-forth battle, Salisbury earned a pair of penalty corners, but both went awry. With a growing sense of urgency, Christopher Newport struck back. Storming down the field, Lichty found some space near the top of the circle. After pulling up just inside the arc, she unloaded a one-timer that found its way through a cluttered zone and settled into the back of the cage.

Leading for the first time since early in the contest, the CNU defense took over from there. Following a penalty corner, Lien stoned her fourth shot of the game before Judkins clamped down on another dangerous run on the far side of the cage. With the clock serving as an enemy, Salisbury called for a timeout with just over seven minutes remaining.

Staring at the longest seven minutes so far this season, the Captains looked ready and held firm. After a sustained run by the Sea Gulls following the break, Hilary St. Mary made a great tackle near midfield at the six-minute mark to buy the defense some time. Three minutes later, Alexa Hendrickson stood tall in the corner during a one-on-one situation to stymie another attempt.

Finally, with just a few ticks left on the clock, Salisbury earned one final penalty corner. After the Sea Gulls inserted the ball to the top of the circle, the CNU defense came barreling out of the cage and momentarily caused the visitors to lose track of the ball before Judkins pushed it away and helped cap off the incredible 3-2 victory.

Overall, Salisbury held an 11-7 edge in shots and a 9-4 lead in corners. Although the Sea Gulls had a few more offensive opportunities, Lien finished with four saves, while Clewer had a pair for the visitors.

Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday when the team heads to Bridgewater for a non-conference battle at 2 p.m.

---CNU---