Live Stats // Video Stream

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 16th-ranked Christopher Newport field hockey team will christen its new home during a busy week at the recently constructed Jennings Family Stadium as the Captains host DePauw in the home opener on Friday at 8 p.m. before returning on Sunday with a noon showdown against No. 5 Johns Hopkins.

The opener, which was originally scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., has been moved back two hours due to the inclement weather expected in Newport News earlier in the day. For those fans unable to attend either game this weekend, 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 schedule page.

Entering the contest, both Christopher Newport and DePauw sit at 1-1 on the year, while Johns Hopkins is 2-0. Both the Blue Jays and Tigers are 1-0 in away games this year, while the Captains will be making their home debut on Friday evening.

Christopher Newport opened up the 2019 season with a pair of battles against top-10 opponents over the weekend. The Captains dropped a 5-1 decision against No. 4 Messiah in the opener before rebounding with a 1-0 triumph against No. 9 Rochester on Sunday. Those games marked the first time in program history that the team faced top-10 opponents in back-to-back regular season tilts.

Mauri Ware scored both goals last week and was honored as the Capital Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts. With her starring role, she became just the fourth Captain to record goals in back-to-back bouts against nationally-ranked opponents. She also became just the fourth player to record a goal in each of her first two games with the program.

Along with Ware's historic showcase on the offensive end, the defense was spectacular on Sunday against Rochester. Olivia Davis became just the second Captain to record a shutout victory against a top-10 foe after coming through with a career-high 10 saves against the ninth-ranked Yellowjackets. Meanwhile, Bailey Miller also chipped in with her first career defensive save to help solidify the shutout.

DePauw also opened 2019 by splitting games last week after defeating Sewanee, 3-2, before falling to Rhodes, 5-0. The Tigers boast a decorated collection of returning standouts, including senior Kate Milner. The fourth-year forward posted a pair of goals in the opener and is a reigning first-team All-Conference honoree. Defensive stalwart Maria Hewitt and midfielder Kelsey Doer also nabbed All-NCAC accolades for their work in 2018.

Friday's game will mark the fifth meeting between DePauw and Christopher Newport. The Captains currently hold a 3-1 edge in the series, including a 4-0 victory during the last match-up in 2017. Facing a familiar foe, current Captains Courtney Fiest and Bailey Miller both scored in the previous meeting, while DePauw's Katie Milner had an assist in the 2016 bout, which Christopher Newport won, 2-1.

After advancing to the national semifinals last season, Johns Hopkins has picked up right where the team left off. The Blue Jays have a pair of 2-1 wins over Washington & Lee and Mary Washington so far this season. JHU features reigning All-American Katie McErlean on the midfield unit, while Abby Birk is back after earning All-Region honors. Senior goalie Jodie Baris also returned after ranking 16th in the nation with a 0.93 goals-against-average in 2018.

Sunday's contest will be the ninth meeting between Christopher Newport and Johns Hopkins. The Blue Jays won last year's game, 2-1, during an overtime thriller in Baltimore. The two teams last met in Newport News in 2011 when the Captains registered a 6-0 win.

Following this weekend's action, Christopher Newport will head to Mequon, Wisconsin for two games next week, including a tilt against Concordia (Wisc.) at 3 p.m. on Friday.

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