NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 14th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey squad suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday, falling to Bridgewater College (3-3) by a final score of 1-0. CNU outshot the Eagles 20-6, but could not come away with the game-tying goal and saw their overall record slip to 5-1. 

A first half goal by Bridgewater would stand up as the only scoring in the contest, as both goalkeepers pieced together strong performances. For the Eagles, Ali Bishop pitched the shutout with 10 saves and for CNU, senior Bailey Lien made three dynamite saves while keeping the Captains within striking distance. 

Early in the field half, the Eagles threatened to strike when Emily Matisons drilled a hard shot toward the left side of the goal. Lien had other plans, however, sprawling out and making a full-extension save to hold off the attempt. 

With just under 13 minutes remaining in the first half, Bridgewater would get by the Captains' senior leader in net, who allowed just her fourth goal this season. A Bridgewater midfielder inserted a pass through the top of the circle where Marisa Sims connected on a one-timer to the left side. Her pass found teammate Tessa Tierson and, with the defense shifting, smacked a high shot into the middle of the cage. 

Trailing at home for the first time this season, the Captains battled scorching temperatures for the rest of the game as they tried to get on the board. The offense heated up, working for 15 penalty corners in the game and getting 20 total shots off. Late in the first half, Rachael Allshouse got loose in the circle after a restart and had an open look at the cage, but her high shot was turned away by Bishop. 

After halftime, Abby Cryts and Carol Thompson went back-to-back on attempts about ten minutes into the frame, but Cryts' shot was stoned and Thompson's dart went just wide of the cage. In transition after Thompson's shot, the Eagles nearly put a second goal on the board were it not for the stellar athleticism of Lien in goal. Bridgewater's Madison Clement got loose on a breakaway, forcing Lien to come off her line. After Clement reared back for a rip, Lien's body made the save, but the ball bounced off to the right, where Tierson had a look as well. Lien shifted her body and reached out with her hands to make another full-extension save and avoid the trouble. 

That would be the last real pressure the CNU defense would allow, as the Captains started to push everything forward looking for the equalizer. In the last eight minutes of action, CNU earned eight penalty corners and consistently applied pressure to Bishop in the goal. Mackenzie Neylon and Thompson each had attempts blocked, while Sarah Miller blistered a shot that went just wide. With less then four minutes remaining, the Captains saw their best chance turned away twice by Bishop as Josie Morgan slammed a shot off her pads, followed by another attempt by Allshouse that was knocked away again. Moments later, Cryts connected on another shot that sailed just wide of the cage. 

As the final buzzer sounded, the Captains worked through their 20th penalty corner, but the last attempt by Allshouse was turned away by Bishop for her 10th save, securing the win. 

Christopher Newport put 10 shots on goal and held the Eagles offense to just three penalty corners in the game. Lien finished with four saves in the complete game effort, while Allshouse led the team with seven shots, five on-goal. 

The Captains will return to action on Monday, September 19 as they travel to face Catholic University of America at 4:00 pm. The Cardinals will carry a 4-1 overall record into the contest.