Live Stats // Live Video NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- With massive playoff implications, the 13th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will wrap up the regular season on Wednesday at 6 p.m. when CNU hosts No. 7 Salisbury in a crucial Capital Athletic Conference clash at Captains Turf Field.
Entering the game with a 13-2 overall record and a pristine 5-0 mark in league action, the Captains will be vying for their second outright regular season CAC championship in three seasons. With a victory, CNU would lock up the league title and earn the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Regardless of the result, Christopher Newport is assured of at least a share of the CAC regular season crown and a top-three seed in the playoffs.
Looking to play the spoiler on Wednesday, Salisbury comes into the contest with a 10-3 record, including a 3-1 mark in league action. The Sea Gulls are also in contention for their second straight regular season league championship. SU needs two wins this week and help from Mary Washington to earn a share of the league title and the conference's No. 1 seed.
For those fans unable to make it to the game, live stats and a video stream will be available at CNUsports.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the CNU schedule page.
SENIOR DAY Prior to Wednesday's game, Christopher Newport will hold its annual Senior Day festivities to honor the veteran members of the team. The Captains will celebrate the career achievements of
Lauren Cheatham,
Alexa Hendrickson,
Lisa Murphy,
Lauren Reinaman,
Samantha Snider,
Taylor Williams, and
Moira Wright.
Since 2012, the current seniors have helped lead CNU to a 63-13 record, which stands as the second-most wins of any senior class in program history. Along the way, the Captains have advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice, including a trip to the Final Four in 2013.
NFHCA RANKINGS In the latest poll released by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday, the Captains moved up a spot into 13th in the national rankings. CNU earned 404 points, which marks an 86-point increase from the previous poll.
A LOOK AT THE CAPTAINS With three victories last week, including a pair of CAC wins against Mary Washington and Frostburg State, the Captains locked up a first-round bye in the upcoming conference tournament. It marks the third straight season that CNU has earned a top-three seed after entering the postseason as the No. 1 team in 2013 before securing the No. 3 seed in 2014.
On a national level, Christopher Newport enters Wednesday's contest ranked second in the conference and 10th in the nation with a 0.85 goals-against-average. Led by junior goalie
Bailey Lien, who boasts a .764 save percentage, the Captains have seven shutouts this year, including two last week.
Brittan Muir has also posted three defensive saves for the squad, while
Kana Hashigami has a pair.
On the offensive end, CNU ranks 22nd nationally with a 3.40 goals-per-game average.
Carol Thompson leads the team with eight goals, while
Lauren Cheatham and
Alexa Weaver have six apiece. Cheatham also has a team-high eight assists, while Muir and
Lisa Murphy each have five helpers.
LAST TIME OUT On Saturday, the Captains took down Frostburg State, 5-0, on Homecoming weekend. During the contest, Murphy erupted for five points, including a pair of goals.
Courtnie Greene also added a goal and an assist for CNU, while Lien and
Stephanie McKinney combined for the shutout.
SCOUTING THE SEA GULLS Salisbury is coming off of a 2-1 setback at Mary Washington on Saturday, which snapped a four-game winning streak for the Sea Gulls. SU has experience playing at Captains Turf Field in recent weeks after defeating No. 12 Lynchburg in a neutral-site battle in Newport News on October 19.
The Sea Gulls have been led by a tremendous defensive unit, which ranks eighth nationally with a 0.75 goals-against-average. Eight of the team's 10 victories have come via shutout. Tressie Windsor leads the CAC and ranks 10th nationally with a 0.80 goals-against-average and also sports a .767 save percentage. Meanwhile, on the offensive end, Becca Rinaca and Courtney Jantzen have 10 goals apiece, while Sam Johnson has a team-high six assists. Salisbury's attack is especially adept at drawing penalty corners as the squad ranks third in the nation with a 14.85 corners-per-game average.
SERIES HISTORY Salisbury and CNU have met 17 times with the Sea Gulls holding a 14-3 edge in the series. Last year, SU picked up a pair of victories in Maryland, including a 2-1 overtime victory in the CAC Championship game.
UP NEXT Regardless of Wednesday's outcome, Christopher Newport will return to action with the CAC semifinals on November 4. If the Captains earn the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, the team will host a semifinal contest on Wednesday. If they earn the No. 3 seed, they will hit the road for the playoffs.
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