NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After posting the squad's seventh straight victory on Wednesday, the sixth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will look to continue its torrid streak on Saturday when CNU caps off its five-game homestand with a noon battle against Eastern Mennonite at Captains Turf Field on Family Weekend.

Marching to a 7-0 record this year, CNU is off to the finest start in program history. Eastern Mennonite comes into the game at 0-6, including a pair of setbacks against CAC members Mary Washington and York (Pa.). Familiar foes, the Captains and Royals have squared off seven times with Christopher Newport holding a 7-0 record in those bouts.

Allowing fans to keep track of the action from home, Christopher Newport will provide live stats and a web stream of Saturday's game. Links can be found on the field hockey schedule page on CNUsports.com.

Nationally ranked for their efforts this season, the Captains sit among the NCAA leaders in never every statistical category. On the offensive end, CNU has averaged four goals-per-game, which ranks 15th in the country. The squad also sits 13th in both assists- and points-per-contest.

Defensively, the Captains have pieced together three shutouts and limited the opposition to 0.71 goals-per-game, which ranks 11th nationally. The squad has also compiled nine defensive saves, which is the fourth-most in the country, while the team's .875 save percentage is the 11th-finest overall.

Anchoring the attack, Lauren Cheatham and Belle Tunstall are tied for the team-lead with 15 points apiece. Cheatham has scored six goals, while Tunstall, Taylor Young, and Kelsey Clark have all found the back of the cage five times each. Jordan Snider has also helped facilitate the attack, chipping in with four assists.

Sound on the defensive side, freshman Bailey Lien ranks among the top-20 nationally with a 0.51 goals-against-average and a .906 save percentage. Just as stout in front of her, Chelsea Hines has a team-high five defensive saves, while Shelby Judkins has collected a pair.

Shut out in each of the team's first five games of the season, Eastern Mennonite has been searching for offense after losing its two leading scorers from last year's team. In the Royals' last game against York, Jenessa Derstine broke the skid with EMU's first goal of the season following an assist by Brianna Kauffman.

In the cage for EMU, Mary Beth Danaher has compiled 52 saves and a 5.45 goals-against-average. She has been helped defensively by Mollie Lehman, who has four defensive saves, and Mandy Stowers, who boasts three.

Saturday's game will mark the end of Christopher Newport's five game homestand as the Captains head back out on the road next week. CNU will travel up to Ashland, Virginia for a 2 p.m. bout against Randolph-Macon on Sunday, September 22.

---CNU---