NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Brittan Muir drove home a first-half strike and helped anchor an outstanding defensive effort as the 13th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team toppled No. 18 Catholic, 1-0, in a crucial non-conference battle on a sun-splashed Monday afternoon at Captains Turf Field.
 
Just before halftime, Lauren Cheatham connected with Muir on the game's lone goal to give the Captains all the scoring they would need. Along with the offensive efforts, the CNU defense stepped up with an incredible performance as the squad clamped down on the Cardinals and allowed just six total shots. Meanwhile, Bailey Lien was a wall between the pipes as she made four saves to register the shutout.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 11-2 on the season. The setback drops Catholic to 10-4 overall.
 
From the outset, CNU put its defense on display as the hosts broke up several early runs. First, Moira Wright disrupted a play on the far side of the field before Muir tracked down a Cardinal that snuck free on the near side before poking the ball away to take possession. Shortly thereafter, Catholic broke loose on another two-on-two run, but Kana Hashigami got low and made a textbook tackle to retake control.
 
Following the defensive stand, the Captains went to work on the other end. In the fifth minute, Alexa Weaver intercepted a pass and sent a roller to Cheatham, who tapped it around a defender to Rachael Allshouse. With a clean look, the freshman blistered a rocket from just inside the circle, but the CUA goalie made a huge stop to keep the scoreboard clean.
 
Still in control on the offensive end, Christopher Newport went on an impressive run in the middle of the first. Earning an endless string of corners, Cheatham and Josie Morgan blistered on-target shots that were brushed aside by Catholic. Later, Muir hammered a pair of bullets off back-to-back corners, but the first caught the left post before the second clanked off the right.
 
Although the hosts came up empty-handed on their first few blasts, the squad continued the onslaught until finally breaking through. With two minutes remaining in regulation, Hashigami picked off a clear attempt near midfield to flip possession. Looking to light up the scoreboard, the Captains earned a corner with just over one minute left in the half.
 
After Samantha Snider inserted the ball to the top of the circle, Muir stopped the roller before dishing to Cheatham. Running a give-and-go, the senior fed back to Muir, who capitalized with a screaming dart to the back of the cage to give CNU a 1-0 edge entering the break.
 
Staring at a one-goal deficit, Catholic came out of halftime on a mission and tested the CNU defense with several quick runs. Standing up to the assault, Lien made two fast saves. Later, Hashigami dove to break up a run on the far side of the field to avoid a one-on-one situation before Wright stormed in and deflected another shot before it reached the cage.
 
Still battling, the Cardinals had a great look after a corner in the 58th minute, but Lien made an acrobatic kick save before Wright cleared the zone to give the defense a little rest.
 
After locking down on the Catholic attack early in the second half, Christopher Newport faced another surge later in the period. With 12 minutes left, Snider broke up a pass and Hashigami swatted aside another feed before Cheatham cleared it. Four minutes later, after earning a corner, the Cardinals had a solid look along the far post, but Muir dove and batted away the pass to cut off the play.
 
With time winding down, the Captains went to work on the clock. Courtnie Greene flipped momentum after stealing a pass before Lisa Murphy settled into the far corner and ran off crucial seconds. Later, Cori Black intercepted a roller near midfield before Carol Thompson took possession. Battling three Cardinal defenders, the second-year star made her way to the near corner and continued running off time in the final minute of action to help lock up the victory.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport held a 16-6 edge in shots during the game and a 10-5 lead in corners. In addition to Lien's four saves for the Captains, Analisa Scott contributed eight saves for Catholic.
 
CNU will return to action on Wednesday when the team heads to Fredericksburg for a 4 p.m. battle at No. 15 Mary Washington.
 
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