NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Absolutely dominant in all facets of the game, the Christopher Newport field hockey team secured its eighth straight victory as the Captains stormed past York (Pa.), 4-1, during a non-conference battle on a chilly Saturday evening at Jennings Family Stadium.

Utterly impressive throughout the 60-minute showcase, Christopher Newport's freshman class led the way. First-year phenoms Katie Abendschoen, Lainey Pratzner, and Maddison Steele all scored for the Captains. The newcomers have now combined for 44 total points this season, making the 2021 class the fourth-highest scoring freshman contingent in school history.

Remarkably effective on the other end of the field as well, fellow freshman Brooke Billhimer added a defensive save against the Spartans while helping anchor the back line. Although York eventually broke through in the second quarter, Christopher Newport extended its shutout streak to 280 consecutive minutes prior to YCP's tally. That ranks as the third-longest run in program history and the finest stretch since 2015.

On top of the incredible work by the freshman class, Christopher Newport also received huge contributions from the veteran portion of the roster. Junior Marcella Sabbagh registered three points, including a rocket in the third-quarter, which helped stymie York's comeback bid. Seniors Mauri Ware and Nyla Lewis also added assists in the second half, while Gabi Gray contributed four saves to earn her 11th win of the year.

Rolling into the playoffs, Christopher Newport now sits at 11-4 on the season, including 7-0 at home. The setback drops York to 14-4 and snaps the Spartans' six-game winning streak.

Aggressive from the very beginning, the Captains put their attack on full display in the early going. Just four minutes into regulation, the hosts found an opening. Ware slammed an initial shot that was kicked away by the goalie. Sticking with the play, Pratzner showed off some toughness. Blanketed by three defenders and the keeper, the freshman snatched the rebound in the middle of a scrum along the left pipe. With her back towards the cage, she unloaded a no-look shot that slipped between the goalie and the post for the game's first tally.

Grabbing an early lead, Christopher Newport stretched its advantage just two minutes later. After securing a corner, Ware inserted the ball to Sabbagh, who was stationed at the top of the arc. Facing little pressure, she took a few steps before sliding a perfect feed through the zone to Abendschoen. On the receiving end, the first-year star collected the roller with two defenders sticking to her hip. Unfazed by the contact, she pulled the ball back and fired a laser just inside the right post for a 2-0 lead.

Responding in the second quarter, York finally cracked the scoreboard after finding a sliver of daylight off a corner in the 21st minute. With their lead cut in half, the Captains went back to work on the offensive end

Assaulting the visitors with a relentless attack, Christopher Newport unloaded five on-target shots during a two-minute blitzkrieg. Unfortunately, three were turned aside by York's goalie, while two were batted away by defenders as the Spartans held up against the onslaught.

Collecting themselves after the defensive stand, the visitors mounted an offensive rally towards the end of the first half. Quieting the response, Gray made a huge save in the 26th minute before Abendschoen corralled the rebound and scooted out of the circle. Although the Spartans returned a few moments later, Sabbagh intercepted a pass at the top of the arc before Abby Asuncion snatched a loose ball on the interior to keep the one-goal lead intact.

Entering the third quarter, York came out of halftime looking for the equalizer. In the early moments of the period, Izzy Diz battled a Spartan on the inside and forced a shot to trickle past the right post. Moments later, off a corner, Diz blocked an initial shot before Gray swatted a blast out of the air to slam the door on the rally.

Sensing a minor shift in momentum, the Captains regained control. Pratzner made a textbook tackle on the defensive side of the field before Vivian Pope cruised up the turf and handed possession back to the attack. Keeping the ball on the offensive end, Billhimer stoned a clear attempt near the 50, Pope poked away a roller along the 25, and Emma Logue torched a pair of midfielders during a nice run up the right sideline.

Frustrating the Spartans while sustaining possession, Christopher Newport picked up the pace and unleashed another furious rally in the latter portion of the third period. During the surge, the Captains blistered seven shots and earned three corners. Although the visitors held up for a few moments, the hosts eventually broke through after securing another corner in the 40th minute.

Inserting the ball from the end line, Ware sent a pinpoint feed to Lewis, who was anchored at the top of the arc. Showing off some fancy stick skills, the senior unleashed a behind-the-back pass to Sabbagh. After securing the feed, the junior dipped down and unloaded a howitzer that deflected off the stick of a defender and tucked nicely into the back of the cage for a 3-1 lead.

Ready for more, the Captains came right back in the 43rd minute. After Abendschoen made a nice tackle near midfield, she slipped a feed to Pope, who sent a bouncer into the circle. Although the goalie kicked the ball away to prevent any immediate damage, she lost her footing and came tumbling down in the center of the zone.

Sticking with the play, Ware settled the deflection and punched it to Steele. With no one between her and the cage, the freshman blasted a rocket off the boards for a 4-1 lead. It also marked her second straight game with a strike after landing the clincher against No. 20 Salisbury on Wednesday evening.

Taking a three-goal lead into the fourth quarter, the Captains turned to their defensive unit to close out the contest. Just 25 seconds into the final period, YCP generated a corner, but Asuncion put an end to the rally after stealing a pass near the top of the arc.

Going back on the attack in the middle of the period, the Spartans pieced together a sustained run but had little success breaking through. Sabbagh blocked a shot in the 50th minute, while Diz deflected one a few moments later. Shortly thereafter, York secured three straight corners, but Asuncion stoned a rip off the first, Lewis gobbled up an attempt on the second, and Diz helped force an errant shot on the final try.

As time ticked down in regulation, Lewis came back with a clutch interception deep inside the circle, while Billhimer came out victorious during a one-on-one showdown with an attacker along the right pipe to close out the game.

Making the Spartans work throughout the contest, Christopher Newport held a 27-14 advantage in shots and a 9-6 lead in corners.

Entering the postseason as the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference's top seed, the Captains will return to action next Saturday when the squad hosts the league championship at Jennings Family Stadium. Christopher Newport will face the winner of the semifinal match-up between Mary Washington and No. 20 Salisbury, which will take place on Wednesday in Maryland.

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