COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- After locking up the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship last week, the Christopher Newport field hockey team jumped back into the national rankings as the Captains were slotted 18th in the latest poll, which was announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Captains received 118 points in the poll to earn the No. 18 position. It marks the squad's highest ranking since sitting 14th in the preseason poll. Incredibly, Christopher Newport has now been listed in the top-20 in 124 of the 149 polls released over the past 15 seasons.
 
Holding down the top spot, Middlebury continues to sit first in the rankings, while Johns Hopkins, Babson, Tufts, and Kean round out the top-five.
 
Facing one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Christopher Newport has already battled five teams listed in the latest rankings. Along with No. 2 Johns Hopkins and No. 5 Kean, the Captains also took on No. 11 Washington & Lee in September. Meanwhile, fellow foes Salisbury and Susquehanna also received votes in the poll and sit just outside of the top-20.
 
Overall, Christopher Newport's 2021 schedule currently ranks as the fourth-hardest in Division III by the NCAA metrics. The team's opposition has combined for a remarkable .671 winning percentage while compiling a 157-77 overall record.
 
Despite the gauntlet of top-flight competition, the Captains stand 13th in the NCAA in scoring average while boasting a rate of 3.87 goals per game. During its current eight-game winning streak dating back to September 25, Christopher Newport has outscored its opposition, 34-3, while eclipsing four goals on five occasions.
 
Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Christopher Newport has registered seven shutouts. From October 9-30, the team held its competition scoreless for 280 consecutive minutes, which stands as the third-longest run in program history. Along the way, the team notched four straight shutouts, including spotless efforts against No. 18 Lynchburg and No. 20 Salisbury.
 
The team will return to action on Saturday at 6 p.m. when the Captains host the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championship at Jennings Family Stadium. Christopher Newport will take on the winner of the semifinal match-up between Salisbury and Mary Washington, which will take place in Maryland on Wednesday evening.
 
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