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SALISBURY, Md. -- The first career goal for freshman Danielle Pratt came in a big spot Wednesday afternoon, as her first-half tally propelled the Christopher Newport women's soccer team to its second straight regular season championhip in the Capital Athletic Conference. Pratt's goal lifted CNU (12-3-3, 8-0-1) to a 1-0 victory at Salisbury (10-5-3, 7-2-0) in the regular season finale, clinching the top seed in the 2014 CAC Championship Tournament. 

The Captains improved to 8-0-1 in league play this season, and in two years as members of the CAC, ran their overall record against conference opponents to 15-1-1 for a winning percentage of over 91%. It was also the 12th shutout against a league foe in the same stretch, led by the stellar play of sophomore goalkeeper Haley Casanova. The second-year goalkeeper has nine solo clean sheets in conference play over the last two seasons.

Coming into Wednesday's regular season championship game against the Sea Gulls, both teams had already secured a first-round bye in the coming postseason tournament. With the win, Christopher Newport has locked up home field advantage throughout the postseason, and will play the winner of the first round matchup between 4th-seeded Frostburg State and 5th-seeded York College (Pa.). The semifinal matchup will be held on Wednesday, November 5 with a game time yet to be determined. 

Against the Sea Gulls, CNU burst out of the gate, out-shooting the home team 8-3 in the first half while earning four corner kicks to zero for Salisbury. The Captains offense was on-target, putting five of their eight first-half shots on-net against Salisbury goalkeeper Michelle Conrad. In the 22nd minute, Pratt would cash in on one of those five attempts when she scored from inside the box. After a broken corner kick attempt by Lindsay Mondloch, the Captains regained control and shuffled the ball outside for sophomore Victoria Perry. Perry saved the ball from going out on the goal line and crossed a pass over Conrad's head toward the back post, where Pratt poked home the eventual game-winner. 

Perry would add two shots on-goal herself in the first half, while juniors Shaydah Naraghi and Abby Johnson also tested the Salisbury keeper. 

In the second half, Salisbury scrambled late to try and find the equalizer, getting a couple solid opportunities on net, but Casanova was up to the task. The sophomore netminder made five saves in the game including three in the final 12 minutes of action as the Sea Gulls pressed. Her shutout was the fourth of her season and 13th of her young career. 

CNU held an 11-6 advantage in total shots, including a slight 6-5 edge in shots on-frame. The Captains also held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. 

After the victory, the CNU women will get a one-week break before their next contest comes in the CAC Semifinal Round. Their opponent will be determined in Saturday's first round action, hosted by the Bobcats.