NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport field hockey team vaulted up three spots in the latest national poll and now sits sixth in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Rankings, which marks the program's highest position in six years.

Having ripped off six straight victories to open the 2013 campaign, the Captains are off to their finest start since the program was founded in 2000. Guided by its early-season success, CNU jumped three spots after opening the year ranked ninth in the nation. This stands as the squad's highest ranking since reaching the same spot in the final poll of 2007.

Along with its lofty ranking, Christopher Newport also earned a first-place vote in the latest poll. It marks the first time the Captains earned a No. 1 vote since picking up two on October 23, 2007. Overall, CNU earned 657 points in the latest rankings, which is just 43 shy of a top-five position.

Topping the poll for the second straight week, Montclair State remains in first after earning 41 first-place votes. Tufts sits second, while Salisbury, Middlebury, and Mary Washington round out the top-five. With the Captains, Sea Gulls, and Eagles all anchoring the top of the rankings, the Capital Athletic Conference is the only league in the nation with three teams in the top-six and one of only two with three in the top-10.

In addition to their conference foes, the Captains have several other top-20 teams on their schedule. The squad already topped No. 14 Lynchburg, 1-0, and will host No. 20 Catholic on November 2. DePauw, who sits just one spot outside of the top-20, also fell to CNU, 3-0, on September 8.

Surging up the polls, Christopher Newport will look to continue its roll on Wednesday when the team welcomes Virginia Wesleyan to town for a 7 p.m. showdown. Local rivals, the two programs have faced off 10 times with CNU holding a 7-3 edge in those meetings. The Captains have won the last six bouts, including a 7-1 win in Virginia Beach last season.

Belle Tunstall has been at the forefront of CNU's offensive attack this season, compiling a team-high 15 points and five assists. She has also chipped in with five goals, which is tied for second on the squad. The junior currently ranks third in CNU history with 21 career assists and ninth with 63 points.

Equally gifted offensively, Lauren Cheatham leads the team with six goals and has collected at least one point in all six games this season. Along with the leading scorers, Taylor Young and Kelsey Clark have combined for nine goals and an assist. The two standouts have also picked up Offensive Player of the Week honors from the Capital Athletic Conference during the year.

The CNU defense has been fronted by freshman goalie Bailey Lien, who boasts a 0.61 goals-against-average and a .900 save percentage. She has been aided on the back end by Chelsea Hines, who has five defensive saves, and Shelby Judkins, who has a pair.

The Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan are off to a strong start in 2013 and currently sit at 3-0. During the squad's first three contests, VWC beat Neumann, 4-2, and took down Stevenson and Frostburg State in a pair of 2-1 overtime tilts.

Especially adept on the offensive end, senior Nikki Cuthbert leads Virginia Wesleyan with two goals and a pair of assists. Fellow fourth-year standout Taylor Lober has also scored twice, while Martha Staring has added a goal and an assist. Lindsay Baker has anchored the defensive end, compiling a 0.64 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage.

Remaining at home for one more game after Wednesday, Christopher Newport will conclude its five-game homestand on Saturday at noon against Eastern Mennonite.

---CNU---