VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- In the long-awaited debut for first-year head coach Jamie Gunderson, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team raced past Catholic, 4-0, in a well-rounded effort offensively and defensively. Four different CNU players scored as the Captains ripped 22 shots on-frame in an offensive explosion while the defense allowed just three shots on goal in the clean sheet effort. 

After accepting the head coaching job in April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled Gunderson's originally scheduled debut in the 20-21 campaign. Finally on the sidelines for the Captains, the team did not disappoint in his opener as CNU improved to 1-0-0 while dropping Catholic to 1-2-0 overall. 

CNU picked up a single goal in the first half from newcomer Sarah Smith before three different players logged second half scores. Smith, a transfer from Virginia Tech, ripped her first goal in a CNU uniform off an assist from Ellie Cox. The eventual game-winning tally would come in the 27th minute of play when Cox found Smith in the center of the field for a hard shot into the side of the goal. 

In the first half, the Captains outshot Catholic, 11-4, including seven shots on-frame. The offensive control of play would ramp up in the second half as CNU added another 23 shots with 15 on-net. The next tally came from midfielder Abby Harrigan in the 55th minute. That score opened the floodgates as CNU tacked on another goal in the 64th and one in the 85th. 

Ryanne Davidson found the back of the net in the 64th minute off an assist by Emily Talotta and Riley Cook notched the 67th goal of her career with an unassisted goal to cap the scoring. 

For the game, the Captains outshot Catholic by a final count of 34-8 with an advantage on-goal of 22-3. Defensively, the starting unit included Jill McDonald and Nyah Savage as the group locked down the Cardinals and allowed just eight total shots. In goal, fifth-year goalkeeper Haley Eiser notched her first shutout of the seaseon with three stops. 

After opening the season in a neutral site bout, the next four matches are to be played at home at Captains Field. First up is Virignia Wesleyan is at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, September 8.