Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Putting its offensive attack on full display, the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team set a new program-record with its 16th straight victory as CNU rolled to a 13-0 win over Wilson guided by hat-tricks from Kelsey Clark and Meghan Sullivan on a chilly Wednesday evening at Captains Turf Field.

During the contest, six Captains found the back of the cage, including five multi-goal efforts. Along with Clark and Sullivan, Belle Tunstall, Marlene Lichty, and Shelby Judkins each scored twice, while Lauren Cheatham added her 13th goal of the year in the first half.

The 13 goals matched the second-most in a single-game in CNU history, while the margin of victory also equaled the second-largest by the Captains. Overall, the win bumps Christopher Newport to 16-0 on the season and extends the NCAA's longest active winning streak. The setback drops Wilson to 6-9.

Although the Phoenix kept CNU quiet for the first 10 minutes of the game, the floodgates opened quickly. Clark got things going with a dagger at 10:01 before Lichty drilled a bullet from the back of the circle that deflected off a defender and spun neatly into an opening just three minutes later.

Continuing the onslaught, the Captains kept things going at the 14-minute mark after Tunstall inserted the ball on a penalty corner and quickly hammered home the return feed by Clark. Shortly thereafter, Cheatham added the perfect punctuation mark to the early scoring at 17:36. From the far corner, Allie Hackbarth pushed a gorgeous pass to the mouth of the cage. Cheatham, who had settled in the center of the zone, corralled the roller and smashed a dart that clanged off the back board for CNU's fourth goal of the contest.

Still on the attack, Christopher Newport rounded out the first half with one last score following another penalty corner. With just under 12 minutes remaining in the period, Judkins came through with a nice touch to Tunstall, who blistered her second goal to seal the 5-0 advantage.

Although the offense caught fire from the beginning, the defense did its job as well. As usual, Judkins, Chelsea Hines, and Jordan Snider barely left the Phoenix any room to breathe, while the midfield also shut down most Wilson runs before they even reached the CNU end. Near the end of the period, Savanah Cummings also kicked away WC's lone on-target shot of the contest to keep the shutout intact.

Following halftime, the Captains kicked off the new period with a beautiful run. On the play, Cheatham, Tunstall, and Clark all slipped through the defense during a three-on-one break. Cheatham pushed the ball near the top of the circle before finding Tunstall, who had a clear run on the near side. With nothing but open spaces, the junior dished across the circle to Clark, who quickly deposited the pass for her second goal of the contest.

Looking for the hat-trick, Clark returned to the scene just seven minutes later. Finding a perfect home on the far post, the senior settled in and smacked home a solid pass from Lichty to wrap up her second three-goal effort of the year.

With the first hat-trick in the books, Sullivan took over during the latter half of the second stanza. Just minutes after Clark deposited her third goal, Sullivan picked up her first following a sensational pass from Samantha Snider, who had wiggled free at the top of the circle. Later, after Judkins and Lichty each uncorked tracers during a rapid-fire run that pushed the lead to double digits, Sullivan closed out the win.

At 55:14, the senior cleared the defense and jerked an unassisted one-timer into the back of the cage. Two minutes later, Hilary St. Mary blasted a bullet that Judkins deflected for her second goal of the contest. Following the same script in the waning moments of the game, St. Mary unloaded another screamer that Sullivan drove home to wrap up the scoring and cap off her first career hat-trick.

During the game, CNU held a 48-1 edge in shots and a 15-0 lead in corners. Facing the unrelenting assault, Gina Weigold did a commendable job and registered 12 saves for the Phoenix, while the Captain defense recorded its ninth shutout of the year. That total matches the second-most in a single-season in program history.

Christopher Newport will be back in action on Saturday at noon when the Captains host their final regular season home game of the year against York (Pa.). Senior Day festivities will also take place prior to the contest.

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