NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Despite a stellar defensive effort and a first-half strike by Madison Doss, the 18th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team suffered its first setback of the season as Catholic capitalized on a goal with two minutes left in regulation to secure a 2-1 victory on a sweltering Wednesday evening at Captains Turf Field.
 
Piecing together a strong effort between the pipes, Stephanie McKinney matched her career-high with seven stops for the Captains, while Rachel Cooke added a defensive save during a well-rounded performance by the sophomore standout. Meanwhile, Doss came through with her sixth goal of the season with help from Courtnie Greene to lead the offensive efforts.
 
With the setback, Christopher Newport falls to 4-1 on the season, while Catholic improves to 3-1.
 
Although McKinney came out on fire with two quick saves off penalty corner attempts in the early going, Catholic managed to slip one through in the sixth minute to steal an early lead. Unfazed by the quick deficit, the defense settled in. Cooke broke up another corner attempt by CUA, while McKinney added a gorgeous stop and hit the turf to cut off the rebound before Greene burst in and gained possession along the end line to clamp down on another quick threat.
 
On the other side, the Captains orchestrated their first rally after Rachael Allshouse won a race for the ball and kept it from slipping out of bounds. With possession, Jackie Kotoriy pumped a shot that was stoned by Catholic's goalie before unloading another bullet that caught a defender and earned a corner. Unfortunately, ensuing shots by Allshouse and Brittan Muir were blocked at the top of the circle to keep CNU scoreless.
 
Following Christopher Newport's rally, the visitors attempted to respond, but Mackenzie Neylon made it nearly impossible with a great showcase on the defensive end. The senior battled a slew of midfielders along the far sideline to prevent a clean run into the zone. Later, she intercepted a centering feed along the end line and blasted the roller across midfield.
 
Needing to make something happen on the other side, the Captains went to work on the offensive end. Greene, Kotoriy, and Courtney Fiest all roped shots that were turned away by Catholic's keeper, but the pressure simply mounted. Cooke kept the ball in the offensive zone with an interception near midfield and a tackle along the arc, while Alexa Weaver also punched away a roller to keep possession.
 
Still attacking, Christopher Newport earned a corner attempt in the 30th minute. After Doss sent the ball to Cooke, the sophomore stopped it, waited for a defender to clear, and fed a crisp pass over to Greene. Without a clean shooting lane, Greene whistled the ball towards the left post where Doss settled in and deflected the scorcher into the back of the cage to even the score at one entering halftime.
 
Following the break, the Cardinals picked up the pressure, but the Captains were ruthless on the defensive side. McKinney hit the turf for another diving save to open the stanza before Cooke covered the back end and swatted away a second attempt. Moments later, Cooke bodied up an attacker on the far side of the field and sent her flipping to the turf to regain control for a brief moment.
 
Still facing a relentless attack, McKinney made a tremendous, out-stretched stick save off a tough deflection just in front of the cage before adding another diving stop to clean up a second rally. Weaver also dropped down and made a jab tackle at the side of the arc, while Cooke prevented a 3-on-2 breakaway after racing towards the sideline to steal a roller.
 
Meanwhile, on the other side, Allshouse flashed her handles, bursting through a double team while sending a defender spinning on a sprint towards the cage. Later, Weaver smashed a rope from midfield that was deflected in the circle by Fiest, but Catholic's goalie just got a piece of the spinner and kicked it away. Cooke also sent a feed into the arc to create a corner opportunity in the 60th minute, but darts by Greene and Doss were brushed aside.
 
With time running out on regulation, Christopher Newport's defensive unit stepped up again. On a deep surge by Catholic, Neylon dropped low, gained possession, and sent a roller the entire length of the field to thwart the rally. Less than a minute later, after the Cardinals came storming back, Muir stood her ground at midfield and swiped the ball from a streaking attacker to stymie a breakaway opportunity.
 
Unfortunately, the CNU attack could not capitalize on the late possessions. Shots by Allshouse and Fiest were stopped by CUA before the visitors retaliated at the other end. With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, Catholic earned a corner and took advantage of the situation with a one-timer by Hannah Schied to snatch a late 2-1 lead.
 
Needing to respond, Christopher Newport called for a timeout and attempted to regroup. Following the stoppage, Catholic tried to run off some time in the far corner, but Cooke battled her way in and stole the ball back. Later, Greene also poked the ball away, but the Captains could not clear midfield as the visitors eventually ran out the clock to seal the win.
 
Overall, CNU held a 26-12 advantage in shots and a 12-4 lead in corners. However, Sophia Hamilton came through with 15 saves for Catholic to help lock up the win.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday when the squad travels to Bridgewater for a noon showdown with the Eagles.
 
---CNU---