NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Abby Asuncion erupted for five points, while Alexis Morales added three of her own as the Christopher Newport field hockey team capitalized on a second-quarter surge to stun Centre, 4-0, during a non-conference battle on a cloud-covered Saturday afternoon at Jennings Family Stadium.

Against the Colonels, Asuncion played a role in three of the squad's goals as the senior All-American pumped a pair of strikes while adding an assist. Her final tally of the game marked her 33rd career goal, moving her into a tie with former standout Megan McCreedy for sixth on the program's all-time scoring list.

Along with Asuncion, Morales also contributed a goal and an assist, while Marcella Sabbagh excelled on both ends of the field. The fourth-year phenom converted her fourth penalty stroke of the year, equaling the single-season school record. She also had four during her award-winning junior season, while Sarah Wister also struck four times in 2010.

In addition to her offensive efforts, Sabbagh also came through with her 13th career defensive save. That stands as the third-highest total in school history, trailing only Chelsea Hines (16) and former All-American Brittan Muir (17).

Lily Kerr also made some history on Saturday. The freshman goalie improved to 5-0 during her time between the pipes. She is just the third keeper in program history to start her career 5-0, joining former greats Elexa Nosonchuk (2007) and Bailey Lien (2013).

Overall, Christopher Newport now boasts an 8-3 record this year, while Centre is 5-5.

Looking for a quick start, the Captains put immediate pressure on Centre's back line. Maddison Steele had an early attempt brushed aside by the goalie. Seconds later, after securing a corner, Sabbagh flashed her strength and unleashed a screamer that just missed landing inside the right post after buzzing through a crowded circle.

In the middle of the period, Morales also had a deep run turned away by the keeper, while Steele had another shot spin past the pipe.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Christopher Newport never let Centre gain any traction. Building a blockade in the center of the turf, the Captains rarely let the visitors slip across midfield. Although the Colonels finally orchestrated a lengthy run in the waning moments of the period, Chloe Thompson picked off a feed along the left sideline before Steele came through with a tackle in the center of the field to punctuate the threat.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Captains erupted in the second stanza. In the 27th minute, Morales stripped a Colonel following a one-on-one duel along the defensive 25. Flipping the field, she cruised up the turf on a 50-yard sprint while spinning a defender and slipping a feed to Asuncion. Although Centre eventually caught up to the play, the pressure generated during the breakaway led to a stroke after the Colonels committed a foul deep inside the circle.

Taking the free shot, Sabbagh stepped up to the dot and rifled a rocket inside the right pipe for the game's first goal.

After the restart, Centre tried to mount a response, but Katie Abendschoen immediately intercepted an aerial and cleared the defensive end. Less than 90 seconds later, Christopher Newport picked up its third corner of the period.

Looking to capitalize, Abendschoen secured the insert from Emma Logue and ripped a blast from the top of the circle. Although the attempt was stoned on the inside, Logue scooted in, collected the rebound, and quickly shuffled it out to Sabbagh. With some room to work, the senior punched a seed back inside the arc. Pinballing around, the bouncer was eventually settled by Morales, who pushed it over to Asuncion. With control, she threaded a shot through two defenders and the goalie for her first tally of the game.

Leading by a pair of goals, the Captains wasted little time stretching their lead to three. Once again, the defense stamped out Centre's initial response. Morgan Arthur slowed the opposition with a deflection near midfield before Abendschoen stole possession with an interception along the defensive 25.

After pushing the ball up the field, Logue slapped a pass over to Asuncion, who was stationed at the top of the arc. Slipping a feed inside, she connected with Morales, who flashed her finishing skills with a slick backhand on the doorstep for a 3-0 advantage at the end of the second quarter.

Following the break, Christopher Newport continued its offensive assault in the 39th minute. After garnering another corner, Thompson inserted the ball to Lainey Pratzner. From there, the Captains turned to some entry-level physics to capitalize on their final goal of the game.

With possession well outside of the circle, Pratzner whipped a long ball inside the arc. On the other end, Asuncion dropped down low and turned her stick into an inclined plane, launching the ball over the defense and past the outstretched pads of the keeper before tucking it inside the top left corner of the cage.

After the offense wrapped up the scoring, the defense took over. During the third quarter, Brooke Billhimer stayed deep and walled off a lengthy push by the visitors before clearing the circle. Later, Sabbagh picked off a pass near midfield, while Arthur and Brie Mallozzi added interceptions along the offensive 25 to keep the ball away from the Centre attack.

In the final stanza, the Colonels nearly broke through in the 50th minute. Holding strong against Centre's lone corner of the game, Morales served as the flyer and put immediate pressure on a shooter at the top of the zone. After the visitors swung the ball around the circle, they had an attempt down low, but Sabbagh smothered the pointblank try with a beautiful defensive save.

Although Centre kept possession, Kerr hit the deck and blocked off the cage before Sabbagh deflected a follow-up attempt and scurried out the right side of the zone to end the rally.

Still looking for the shutout, Gwendolyn Via deflected a pass along the defensive 25 to stunt another Centre surge before Mallozzi broke up a separate rally along the sideline. Later, Billhimer intercepted a crosser in the center of the circle, while Kerr kicked away a low liner along the right pipe to polish off the defensive masterpiece.

Overall, Christopher Newport held a 21-3 advantage in shots and a 10-1 edge in corners.

The Captains will have a quick turnaround as the squad returns to action tomorrow with an 11 a.m. test against Roanoke.

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