Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Kelsey Clark scored twice for the second straight day, while Jordan Snider and Shelby Judkins each tallied a goal and an assist to help lead the ninth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team to its sixth straight victory as CNU stormed past Shenandoah, 7-1, on a sun-splashed Sunday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.

After posting the first multi-goal effort of her career on Saturday, Clark matched that effort on Sunday after collecting a pair in the second half. Judkins and Snider also teamed up on two goals to help break open the game in the first half, while Taylor Young, Lauren Cheatham, and Meghan Sullivan rounded out the offense for CNU (6-0).

On the defensive side, Bailey Lien stopped three shots during a scoreless first half, while Savanah Cummings and Julie Collins manned the cage after halftime. The back line also had a tremendous effort as Judkins, Chelsea Hines, and Taylor Williams all secured defensive saves to quiet the Shenandoah attack.

As they have all season, the Captains set the tone early with a blistering onslaught. Refusing to give the Hornets even a moment to relax, CNU unloaded the first seven shots of the game. After Lien kicked aside the first Shenandoah attack at the 11-minute mark, Christopher Newport immediately responded.

After securing the ball near the top of the circle, Young fired a spinning dart towards the cage. The rocket ricocheted off a pair of Hornets, including the goalie, before finding its way through the defense for the squad's first goal at 15:47.

With a one-goal edge, CNU quickly broke the game open with help from Judkins and Snider. The senior standouts combined forces on a pair of goals during an impressive seven-minute run late in the half. On the first one, Snider snapped off a bullet, which Judkins deflected just enough to find an opening. Later, after the Hornets clamped down on three straight scoring opportunities, Judkins repaid the favor and sent a pass to Snider, which she quickly deposited for the squad's third goal of the game at the 30-minute mark.

Staring at an imposing deficit, the Hornets tried to respond, but the CNU defense was up to the task. Late in the period, Lien stoned a pair of shots, while Judkins and Hines added defensive saves to keep the lead at three entering halftime.

Following a quick breather, the Captains went right back to work at the beginning of the second half. Less than two minutes into the frame, Tunstall and Cheatham showed off their skills with a beautiful run. After taking control of the ball in the Hornet zone, Tunstall found a spot near the far post and drew the defense in. With some freedom, Cheatham found an opening in front of the cage, secured a great pass from her teammate, and quickly roped her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Two minutes later, CNU struck again. This time, Allie Hackbarth took possession of the ball near the top of the circle. With brute strength, she uncorked a laser towards the cage. In a flash, Clark dove through the defense and tipped the ball just enough to send it spiraling into open spaces for an impressive five-goal lead at 38:52.

Following a Shenandoah timeout, the Hornets found their footing and whittled their deficit back down to four after a goal by Ashley Cross. Unfazed by the momentary lapse, Christopher Newport immediately responded. With just over 20 minutes remaining in regulation, the Captains fired an initial shot that was blocked. Refusing to give up, Clark took control and unleashed a one-timer straight into the back of the cage.

With a 6-1 lead, CNU eventually eased into the victory. As the clock slowly ticked down, the Captains added one final punctuation mark in the final 10 minutes. Freshman Sarah Miller secured a roller near the far side of the zone and sent a nice feed across the circle to Sullivan. With no hesitation, the senior fired a blast that capped off the scoring at 60:21.

Overall, CNU out-shot Shenandoah, 42-7, and held a 15-2 lead in corners. Lien led the Captains with three saves, while Sarah Clare chipped in with 17 for the Hornets. Alana Meadows also came through with two defensive saves for the visitors.

Christopher Newport will be back in action on Wednesday when the squad continues its five-game homestand with a 7 p.m. showdown with Virginia Wesleyan.

---CNU---