NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- At the start of the week there were 16 women's soccer teams left in Division III that had yet to lose or tie a game in 2021 and after Saturday's action that number is down to 11. With a 3-0 win over Cal Lutheran (5-3-1) on a neutral field Saturday, the fourth-ranked Captains improved to 7-0-0 and remained one of the elite programs left in the nation with an unblemished record.  

Christopher Newport wrapped up a successful road trip to the Golden State with a pair of victories this weekend as they downed UC Santa Cruz, 1-0, on Friday, and quickly bounced back for a 3-0 win on Saturday against the Regals of California Lutheran University. The win runs the season-opening streak to seven, ranking as the second longest win streak to start a season in program history. 

In Saturday's matchup, the Captains' potent offense was on display with three different goal scorers leading a 19-shot barrage against the Regals. Jessica Zimmermann scored the gamewinner 11 minutes into the match and was followed by Emma Ricci in the 38th minute and Sarah Smith in the 82nd. 

The defense pitched it's third consecutive shutout and fifth of the season in the victory, led by Haley Eiser in goal. The senior netminder made a pair of saves and was assisted by a dominant defensive showcase from the Captains' back line. Jill McDonald played the full 90 at center back and was joined by Nyah Savage, Re Slater, Sarah Rhiel, Hannah Karas, and Victoria Partin in locking down the Cal Lutheran attack. 

The defensive unit held their opponent to just six total shots in the match, including only two attempts on frame. Eiser stopped both for her 22nd career shutout and 39th caerer win. Traipsing up the Captains' all-time leaderboard, Eiser now ranks second in wins and has taken over sole possession of third in career shutouts. 

Offensively, the Captains continued to showcase it's depth with four different players getting a point in the contest. Nyah Savage joined the three goalscorers with a beautiful assist on Smith's insurance goal late in the match. Zimmermann's winner kicked off the scoring just before the clock ticked to 11 minutes passed. A defensive player tried to clear away from the middle but the ball trickled to the top of the box where Zimmermann stepped in and smashed a left-footed banger off the left post and into the goal. It was her second game-winning goal of the season after also putting away the winner against Roanoke on September 15.

Late in the first half, Emma Ricci added to the lead by putting away another Captains goal from just outside the box. Ricci stole the ball from a pair of defenders and started to work for an opening toward the middle of the field. After one contested and the ball popped up just away to her right, Ricci lofted a perfectly-placed shot over the goalkeeper into the center of the goal from about 20 yards out.

Finally, the Captains tacked on the third goal in the late stages of the match when Savage played a beautiful through ball to Smith into the box on the left side. What looked to be a tough angle for a shot, Smith made look easy, as she turned her hips and bent a left-footed laser around the near post and in from close range. Smith's team-leading fourth goal of the season came on Savage's first career assist. 

The fourth-ranked Captains will return home for their next matchup on Thursday, September 30. CNU will close out the first month of the season at 2:30 pm with the weekday matinee at Captains Field. Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for all the action at CNUsports.com.