NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Gabby Gillis drove home a pair of strikes, while Riley Cook matched the single-season freshman record for goals and points by a Captain after notching a goal and an assist as the ninth-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team rolled past Frostburg State, 4-0, during a Capital Athletic Conference battle on a sweltering Saturday evening at Captains Field.
 
Gillis dominated from the start as she assisted on Cook's record-tying tally before adding two goals of her own. Meanwhile, Cook's strike marked her 11th of the season, matching the freshman record established by Sam Ciaravino in 2007 and equaled by Emma O'Reilly in 2010. Later, she added an assist for her 26th point of the year, tying O'Reilly's record total from the 2010 campaign.
 
Along with the headliners, Alexis Haycraft also buried a goal off a penalty kick in the waning moments of the contest, while Maxine Borris and Carson Pokorny added helpers as well.
 
With the win, Christopher Newport improves 11-0-1 on the season, including 4-0 in league action. The setback drops Frostburg State to 3-7-2 overall and 2-1-1 in CAC play.
 
From the start, the Captains set the tone. Less than nine minutes into regulation, the squad broke loose for the first goal. Fittingly, Gillis jumpstarted the early surge as she slipped the ball up the right side to Borris. Grabbing possession, the freshman booted it across the zone to Cook, who headed the ball into the back of the net for a fast 1-0 lead.
 
Although the Bobcats attempted to counter, they were unable to crack the stout CNU defense. Frostburg State served in a pair of balls in the middle of the opening period, but Carly Maglio plucked the first one out of the air before Gillis got her head on the second attempt. Minutes later, Danielle Pratt raced back to clean up another lengthy run by FSU, while Alexi Manley caught up to a long roller into the corner to end another threat.
 
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Captains continued to pound away. Maddie Cochran drilled a shot that whistled wide, while Haycraft and Gillis added back-to-back rockets that just missed high. Later, with time winding down, Emily Schoka blasted an on-target attempt, but the FSU goalie made a great save to keep CNU's lead at 1-0 entering halftime.
 
Following the break, Maglio made a stop off an early FSU attempt, while Manley and Keiley McCarthy chased down a pair of long feeds by the Bobcats to thwart another rally. Shortly thereafter, Logan Montel grabbed control and flipped the field. Back on the attack, the Captains wasted little time lighting up the scoreboard again.
 
In the 57th minute, Cook and Gillis teamed up again. This time, Cook showed off her precision, slicing a pass through three defenders. On the other side, Gillis grabbed control and slammed a shot that just kissed off the crossbar and bounced into the net for a 2-0 edge.
 
Stretching the lead, the Captains never gave the Bobcats an opportunity to respond. The defense rarely let a ball slip past midfield as the attack continued to pepper the FSU back line. Although Frostburg State's goalie managed to make three saves and hang on against a bruising assault by Cochran, Schoka, and Maddie Kelsey, Christopher Newport eventually found another opening.
 
In the 78th minute, the hosts capitalized on a corner kick. Pokorny sent a beautiful cross into the zone before Gillis cut through the defense and added her second strike with a picture-perfect header to snatch a 3-0 lead.
 
With little left to prove, the Captains added one final nail with six seconds left on the clock as Haycraft capitalized on a penalty kick to lock up the 4-0 triumph.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport held a commanding 29-1 lead in shots and a 9-1 edge in corner kicks. Maglio made one save to earn the victory, while Frostburg State's Emily Faust contributed 11 stops on the other side.
 
The Captains will return to action on Wednesday when they host St. Mary's (Md.) at 7 p.m.


 
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