NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In an impressive display of offensive firepower, the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team had four different players log multiple goals en route to an 11-0 shutout over Methodist University (3-2-0) on Saturday afternoon. Playing on a toasty afternoon at Captains Field, the Christopher Newport offense was even hotter than the gametime temperature of 90 degrees with six goals in the first half and five more in the second. 

The 11 goal outburst is tied for the second most goals scored in a game behind only a 13-goal effort against Averett in the 2000 season. The Captains have scored double-digit goals three times in the last three years with 11 against Wesley in 2017, 10 in the NCAA Tournament versus Staten Island in 2018, and Saturday's outpouring against the Monarchs. 

With the shutout victory, Christopher Newport is now 5-0-1 on the season with five clean sheets on the board. The defense was suffocating on Saturday as they did not allow a single shot by their opponent for the first time since 2014 when they blanked Wesley College on September 27. Starting on the back line was senior Keiley McCarthy, junior Lulu Manley, and rookie Jill McDonald while a bevy of reserves also helped lock down the shutout. Junior goalkeeper Haley Eiser started and earned the win with a clean first half and senior Maddy Belanger came on at halftime to finish out the flawless effort. 

As the defense locked down their end of the field, the attacking third was filled with highlights. The eventual game-winning tally came right in front of the net where senior midfielder Sydney Rife hung in on a corner kick by Riley Cook. Cook placed a gorgeous pass right to the feet of her teammate who swung on her first attempt right into the goalkeeper. The save ricocheted back to her feet and she rebounded for the score and the lead. 

After the first goal came in the seventh minute, Emily Talotta cashed in on the first of her two goals in the 17th minute. Keiley McCarthy found Talotta on the left side of the field where the sophomore went to work. She drove to the middle and beat a defender with a nifty move before slamming a hard shot into the right side of the netting. 

The floodgates would open starting in the 31st minute as Christopher Newport scored three goals in the span of 1:35 to blow the game open, 5-0. That is the 11th fastest spurt in the history of Division III women's soccer in which the same team scored three consecutive goals, and a program record. First Cook notched her third goal of the season off a beautiful pass over the top of the defense by McCarthy. Then, just under a minute later, Ryanne Davidson finessed in her second goal of the year off passes from Manley and McCarthy on a set piece. Finally, just 41 seconds later, senior Carson Pokorny drilled a short shot off a pass from the left side by rookie Sarah Rhiel. 

Rounding out the scoring in the first half, Rhiel connected on her own goal in the 42nd minute. Assisted by Shaye Doherty and Abby Harrigan, Rhiel converted on her first collegiate goal to round out the first-half scoring and put the Captains ahead 6-0. 

In the second half, Cook, Talotta, and Rhiel each notched their second goal of the contest while Maddie Cochran picked up two of her own as Christopher Newport pulled away. Talotta tacked on an assist to lead the Captains in scoring with five points in the game. 

Overall, 12 different players scored at least one point in the contest.

Christopher Newport is now off for the remainder of the week as they prepare for a trip to Texas to take on nationally-ranked Trinity University (Texas) and Mary Hardin-Baylor next weekend. The Captains face Mary Hardin-Baylor first on Friday, September 20 at 6:00 pm.