Live Stats / Web Stream
SALISBURY, Md. -- Following an impressive victory in the Capital Athletic Conference semifinals on Wednesday, the Christopher Newport field hockey team will look to continue its postseason push in the championship game on Saturday as the Captains travel to No. 1 Salisbury for the CAC title bout at 5 p.m. at Sea Gull Stadium.
In a rematch of last year's championship, CNU enters the fray with a 12-6 record. Salisbury, who currently sits atop the NFHCA National Poll, comes in at 16-1, including a perfect 6-0 mark during league action this season.
For those fans unable to make it to Saturday's game, Salisbury will provide live stats and a video feed of the action at SUSeaGulls.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the CNU schedule page.
Meeting for the second time this season, the Captains dropped a 4-1 decision to the Sea Gulls on October 14. However, CNU bounced back to win four of its next five tilts, including a 3-0 triumph over No. 14 Mary Washington on Wednesday to earn a berth in the championship battle.
Against the Eagles,
Madison Doss and
Alexa Hendrickson both scored a pair of first-half goals before
Taylor Williams and
Miranda Hept teamed up on a second-half strike to seal the win.
Bailey Lien also pieced together a sensational effort on the defensive end, notching nine saves while leading CNU to its seventh shutout of the season.
So far this year, Lien has compiled an .826 save percentage and a 1.58 goals-against-average during 685 minutes of action. Fellow sophomore
Savanah Cummings has also helped out in the cage and leads the CAC with an .861 save percentage in 587 minutes of work. Guided by their efforts, Christopher Newport ranks first in the conference in team save percentage and sits second in goals-against-average.
In addition to tremendous play between the pipes, the Captains have also benefitted from a strong back line.
Mackenzie Neylon has been outstanding during her freshman season, while Hendrickson and
Sarah Miller both boast four defensive saves apiece. Equally adept at midfield,
Lisa Murphy and
Allie Hackbarth have been especially effective throughout the season for CNU.
On the offensive end,
Belle Tunstall leads Christopher Newport with 20 points, while Williams has scored six times.
Carol Thompson has been a force as well, collecting 12 points during her freshman campaign.
Salisbury enters the weekend riding a seven-game winning streak, including a 5-0 triumph over York during the semifinals on Wednesday. The reigning CAC Champions have been led by a potent offensive attack that has averaged a league-high 5.6 goals-per-game. Courtney Jantzen leads the way with 12 goals, while Samantha Johnson has added 14 assists. On the defensive end, Rachel Clewer has compiled a 1.20 goals-against-average and a .730 save percentage.
The winner of Saturday's contest will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which will begin with first-round action on November 12.
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