Live Stats // Live Video
SALEM, Va. -- The 16th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will continue its busy week on Friday when the Captains head to Salem for a 7 p.m. contest against Roanoke at Donald J. Kerr Stadium before sticking around for an 1 p.m. netural-site tilt against Rhodes on Saturday.
After toppling Randolph-Macon on Wednesday for the program's third straight victory, CNU enters Friday with a 5-1 record. Meanwhile, Roanoke sits at 4-2 overall, and Rhodes comes into the weekend at 5-2.
For those fans unable to make it to Salem, live stats and a video stream will be available for the CNU - Roanoke battle on Friday. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the CNU schedule page.
A LOOK AT THE CAPTAINS Entering Friday's action, Christopher Newport currently ranks among the top-10 nationally in both goals-per-game and scoring margin. In their six contests this season, the Captains have averaged 4.33 goals per game while out-scoring the opposition by a combined 26-5 margin. The team ranks ninth in the NCAA in both of those categories.
On an individual level,
Carol Thompson boasts a team-high six goals, while
Lauren Cheatham and
Alexa Weaver have four apiece. Cheatham is also tied with
Lisa Murphy for the team-lead with three assists. On the defensive end,
Bailey Lien has compiled a 1.06 goals-against-average, while
Brittan Muir has started all six games on the back line and registered a defensive save last week against Wesley.
LAST TIME OUT On Wednesday, the Captains posted their second consecutive shutout with a 2-0 victory over Randolph-Macon in Ashland. During the contest, Thompson and Weaver both posted goals for CNU, while Muir added her first career assist. Lien also picked up the victory after making three saves against the Yellow Jackets.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION Roanoke comes into Friday following a pair of overtime setbacks, including a 2-1 loss against No. 13 Lynchburg. Despite the stumbles, the Maroons have been led by an outstanding defensive unit this season, which ranks fourth nationally with a .900 save percentage and 17th with a 0.83 goals-against-average. On an individual level, Heather Schauder has led the way with 44 saves while allowing just five goals in 362 minutes of work. Offensively, Shelbi Holloman has a team-high six goals, and Katerina DeSimone has 10 points, including two assists.
Rhodes has flashed a devastating offensive attack this year as the team ranks first in the country with a 6.29 goals-per-game average. Featuring a well-balanced assault, Christina DiFelice and Georgie Wilkins both have eight goals this year, while Evy Royther has seven and a pair of assists. Mary Rose Hazel has helped facilitate the attack as well with a team-high six helpers. Defensively, Laura Eckelkamp has an .818 save percentage and a 0.80 goals-against average to go along with three shutouts. Three players have defensive saves this year as well.
SERIES HISTORY Roanoke and Christopher Newport have met seven times with the Captains holding a 4-3 edge in the series. The two programs haven't faced off since 2006 when CNU posted an 8-0 victory in Newport News. Overall, the Captains have won four straight match-ups with the Maroons.
Rhodes and CNU have battled five times with the Captains claiming a 5-0 record in the series. The two teams last met on September 1, 2013 in Memphis, Tennessee. During that match-up, Christopher Newport pulled out a 6-2 victory, including a pair of goals by Cheatham.
UP NEXT Following their two games this week, the Captains will return home for a 7 p.m. contest against No. 12 Catholic on September 30.
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