**Saturday's game will serve as CNU's annual CHKD Play Day, which raises funds for the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. Admission to Saturday's game will be $5 for adults and $3 for children. All proceeds from ticket sales and the youth tournament following the game will go to CHKD.**

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After rolling to a pristine 9-0 record during its early-season non-conference slate, the ninth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will kick off a new era on Saturday as CNU takes on Frostburg State in the program's first ever conference tilt at Captains Turf Field at noon.

Never before have the Captains competed in a league game after spending the program's first 13 years as an independent member of the NCAA. After joining the Capital Athletic Conference over the summer, Christopher Newport will officially embark on its new era with Saturday's inaugural conference showdown.

Even though CNU and Frostburg State will face off for the first time as conference foes this weekend, the two programs have been longtime rivals. Since 2002, they have battled 11 times with Christopher Newport holding a 10-1 edge in the all-time series.

With a well-rounded offense, the Captains enter Saturday with four players boasting at least five goals. Lauren Cheatham, the reigning CAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, has scored 10 times to go along with four assists. Belle Tunstall also has seven goals and five helpers, while Taylor Young and Kelsey Clark have found the back of the cage five times apiece.

Equally stingy on the defensive end, Bailey Lien ranks among the national leaders with a 0.55 goals-against-average and an .889 save percentage. Chelsea Hines has also chipped in with five defensive saves, while Jordan Snider has three.

Riding a two-game winning streak, Frostburg State comes into play with a 4-5 overall record, including a 2-1 mark on the road. Jackie Best has a team-high seven goals for the Bobcats, while Becky Randel has dished out six assists. Megan Grimm has anchored the defense, posting a .744 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against-average.

After Saturday's action, Christopher Newport will remain at home for a midweek non-conference showdown against No. 13 Catholic at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening.

---CNU---