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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Sophomore Victoria Perry, the scoring leader for the Christopher Newport women's soccer team, factored into all three goals as she led the Captains (9-3-2, 5-0-0) to a 3-0 shutout over St. Mary's College of Maryland (6-5-2, 3-2-0) on Thursday night. Perry scored twice and assisted on the third tally as CNU took over sole possession of first place in the CAC standings. 

Coming into Thursday night's league tilt, the Captains had endured just one regular season loss versus conference opponents since joining the CAC in 2013. That loss was to St. Mary's College (Md.) in overtime last season, and the Captains earned a small form of vengeance with the clean sheet on Thursday, improving to 12-1-0 all-time in conference play. 

Perry, who had been held without a goal for six straight games, broke out in the second half starting with her fifth game-winning goal of the season. After the two teams played to a scoreless tie through the first 45 minutes, the sophomore made sure to erase any doubt quickly into the second stanza, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes of the half. 

First, in the 54th minute, the second-year forward made a long run through the defense down the right side. Once she reached the 18-yard box, Perry slotted a perfectly placed shot into the left corner of the goal past St. Mary's (Md.) keeper Sydney Larkin.

Then, in the 60th minute, midfielder Lindsay Mondloch bent a corner kick in toward the center of the 6-yard box where Perry crashed through the defense and headed home her 11th goal of the season. She would then add an assist in the 72nd minute, setting up a goal for senior Sarah Perrett. Perry's pass from the right side got over the hands of Larkin, and directly off the head of Perrett into the left side of the goal. 

The CNU offense scored three goals after halftime, and pressured Larkin all night with 12 shots on-goal. The Captains held a 24-3 advantage in total shots, while Larkin made nine saves giving up three goals.

The Christopher Newport defense, led by sophomore Sam Rabinek, rookie Kira Warner and seniors Erin O'Shaughnessy, Priscilla Harrison and Kelsey Thomas, allowed just three total shots in the game, including two on-goal. Sophomore keeper Haley Casanova stopped both with ease, picking up her second shutout of the season.

Returning to the pitch at home in two days, the Captains will host Marymount University (1-11-1, 0-5-0) on Senior Day at 5:00 pm. Prior to the game, CNU will celebrate seven senior student-athletes rounding out their careers in 2014.