Live Stats // Video Stream

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The fifth-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will contend for conference supremacy on Saturday at 6 p.m. when CNU hosts sixth-ranked Salisbury in the Capital Athletic Conference Championship at Captains Turf Field.
 
Riding a 12-game winning streak, Christopher Newport enters the contest with a 16-1 record after defeating Mary Washington, 1-0, in the conference semifinals on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Salisbury has ripped off six straight victories and stands at 12-3 overall, including a 3-2 overtime win against No. 19 York (Pa.) in the CAC semifinals.
 
For those fans attending Saturday's action, tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. Only cash will be accepted. CNU students will be admitted free with a valid ID. Please be advised that parking will be at a premium with three other conference championships and the Homecoming football game taking place on Saturday as well.
 
For those unable to attend, live stats and a video stream of the action 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.
 
Saturday's battle will feature a pair of squads that rank among the national leaders in nearly every conceivable defensive metric. CNU enters the weekend ranked second in the nation in goals-against-average (0.59) and save percentage (.861). Meanwhile, Salisbury is fourth in both categories, boasting a 0.66 goals-against-average and an .857 save percentage.  The Captains are also tied for fifth in the NCAA with 10 shutouts, while the Sea Gulls have blanked nine opponents.
 
On an individual level, Stephanie McKinney leads the CAC with a 0.66 goals-against-average while standing second with an .841 save percentage. Conversely, Salisbury's Tressie Windsor is first in save percentage (.844) and second in goals-against-average (0.68).
 
Fittingly, of the nine weekly CAC Defensive Player of the Week Awards handed out during the year, six went to players who will appear in Saturday's action. McKinney, Brittan Muir, and Alexa Weaver were all celebrated for CNU, while Windsor, Jillian Hughes, and Lindsey Elgin earned plaudits for SU.
 
Offensively, Christopher Newport has been led by Rachael Allshouse, who ranks fourth in the conference with 13 goals and 30 points. Courtney Fiest also leads the CAC with nine assists and drove home the game-winning goal in the semifinals against Mary Washington. Additionally, Courtnie Greene ranks second in the league with eight assists and stands fourth on the team with 18 total points.
 
The Sea Gulls have been led by Emily Lemanski, who has nine goals and 23 points. Tara Daddio and Natalie Wilkinson also have six strikes apiece. Meanwhile, Camryn Dennis is riding high after driving home a pair of goals against York (Pa.) in the semifinals on Wednesday, including the overtime clincher in the 79th minute.
 
CNU and Salisbury last battled on September 30 with the Captains registering a 1-0 win in Newport News. McKinney came through with seven saves during the contest, including a crucial stop on a penalty stroke. She was awarded National Defensive Player of the Week accolades for that performance. On the other side, Greene scored the game's lone goal off a feed from Jackie Kotoriy.
 
Overall, Salisbury has a 17-4 edge in the all-time series between the two programs. The Sea Gulls have also won all three meetings between the two squads in the CAC Tournament as SU registered a semifinal win in 2015 and championship triumphs in 2013 and 2014. Both title bouts were overtime battles, and all three games were separated by a single goal.
 
The winner of Saturday's tilt will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which will begin next week.
 
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